[Cardiomyopathies in tropical areas].

Some particular features of the cardiomyopathies (CM) observed in the tropics, especially in Africa, are emphasized in this study. Chronic parietal endocarditis is excluded from the CM group. The author presents facts that justify the linking of that affection to endocardial diseases. Myocardiopathies are acute ailments presenting with congestive lesions, reversible under etiological therapy. Anemic and beri-beri myocardiopathies are not unusual in the tropics and present a hyperkinetic syndrome before the stage of advanced cardiac insufficiency. Infectious or parasitic myocarditis seem frequent in the tropics. The author recalls the characteristics of the myocarditis in the human african trypanosomiasis which he opposes, particularly, to the american trypanosomiasis. The reality of bilharzial myocarditis is more debatable while bilharzial pulmonary hypertension is well documented. Chronic congestive CM presents a few specific characteristics in the tropics. The features, well described in temperate regions, are found in the tropics with a particularly unfortunate prognosis. Some alcoholic myocardiopathies have been observed. The rare occurrence of hypertrophic CM in the tropics results, seemingly, from a lack of exploratory means. The author studies briefly a recent series of 31 cases in Abidjan. Post-partum myocardiopathy seems to be the clinical appearance of a latent myocardial insufficiency of the normal post-partum in women presenting with associated risks factors (anemia, malnutrition, overwork, excessive sodium intake, etc.). An early diagnosis enables a cure only by resting, but it is sometimes necessary to associate a medical treatment. Death by embolism or the passing to chronicity are however possible. Drepanocytic CM is debatable and in many cases, seems hardly differentiated from anemic myocardiopathy.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)