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Heart Online First, published on November 13, 2015 as 10.1136/heartjnl-2015-307959
Review

Hypereosinophilic syndrome: cardiac diagnosis


and management
Rekha Mankad, Crystal Bonnichsen, Sunil Mankad

Division of Cardiology, Mayo ABSTRACT Working Conference of Eosinophil Disorders and


Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is a heterogeneous Syndromes (Vienna, Austria; 27–28 May 2011)
USA
group of conditions that is defined at its core by was tasked with reviewing the criteria for establish-
Correspondence to hypereosinophilia (HE) (blood eosinophil count of ing the definition of various disorders related to
Dr Sunil Mankad, Division of >1.5×109/L) and organ damage directly attributable to eosinophilic abnormalities. The goal was to sim-
Cardiology, Mayo Clinic, the HE. Cardiac dysfunction occurs frequently in all forms plify the prior classifications into a contemporary
Rochester, MN 55905, USA;
of HES and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. multidisciplinary scheme.2 Hypereosinophilia (HE)
Mankad.sunil@mayo.edu
Once a significantly elevated eosinophil count is is defined as an elevated eosinophil count
Received 29 August 2015 identified, it must be confirmed on repeat testing and (>1.5×109/L) noted on two separate tests greater
Revised 5 October 2015 the aetiology for the HE must be rigorously sought out than a month apart or the finding of tissue HE
Accepted 6 October 2015 with a focus on identifying whether organ dysfunction is (which includes >20% eosinophils on bone
occurring. Echocardiography is routinely performed to marrow section, extensive tissue infiltration by eosi-
assess for cardiac involvement, looking for evidence of nophils validated by a pathologist or marked depos-
left ventricular and/or right ventricular apical obliteration ition of eosinophilic granule proteins in tissue). HE
or thrombi or a restrictive cardiomyopathy. Cardiac is further subdivided into a hereditary (familial)
magnetic resonance imaging and CT are often useful variant, HE of undetermined significance, primary
adjuncts to establish the diagnosis but endomyocardial (clonal/neoplastic) variant and a secondary (or
biopsy remains the gold standard. To decrease the reactive) HE.2 The HESs are then those conditions
degree of eosinophilia, treatment can include with peripheral HE for any reason, along with
corticosteroids and/or imatinib based on the aetiology. organ damage directly attributed to tissue HE
Anticoagulation, standard heart failure therapy for a (table 1). The organ damage must be due to HE
restrictive cardiomyopathy and finally cardiac and not related to an alternative cause. HES can be
transplantation may be indicated in the treatment idiopathic, primary (neoplastic) or secondary
algorithm. (reactive) based on the cause of the HE (table 2). In
prior classifications, HES was defined as HE in
which an aetiology was not found; the new pro-
INTRODUCTION posed classification has modified the diagnosis for
Hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is a group of HE and HES. Primary or neoplastic HES indicate a
conditions in which there is an overproduction of stem cell, myeloid or eosinophilic neoplasm and
eosinophils that subsequently infiltrate and damage are considered clonal. Secondary or reactive HES
multiple organs. Cardiac manifestations, particu- has multiple potential causes. The HE in these
larly eosinophilic myocarditis (EM) and endomyo- states is caused by an overproduction of eosinophi-
cardial fibrosis (EMF), are a typical cause of lopoietic cytokines (such as IL-5) and is polyclonal.
morbidity and mortality in HES. This review will Parasitic infections are common cause of HE in
briefly discuss the definition and aetiology of HES developing countries3 and can result in HES.
with an overview of the clinical cardiac presenta- Certain solid tumours and T-cell lymphoma where
tions/diagnoses. In addition, a focused discussion of there is HE can also result in end organ dysfunc-
cardiac management and treatment will be tion and damage. HE can occur in other conditions
reviewed. but it is unknown if it is directly related to the
disease presentation and complications. These
DEFINITION include eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangii-
An eosinophil is a granulocyte whose function is tis (Churg–Strauss) and Hyper-IgE syndrome (an
not clearly understood, but likely plays a role in autosomal dominant hyperimmunoglobulin E syn-
host immune response to infection and inflamma- drome often accompanied by eczema and facial
tion. Typically, eosinophils are not normally found abnormalities).2 In upto 75% of cases of HE, an
in all of the organs (they are seen in the thymus, underlying cause is not found; thus, affected indivi-
spleen, gastrointestinal tract, lymph nodes and duals are frequently labelled with idiopathic HES.4
uterus). The production of eosinophils is controlled
by specific cytokines: IL-5, IL-3 and GM-CSF.1 EPIDEMIOLOGY
These cytokines are typically produced by activated HESs are rare and the overall incidence and preva-
T lymphocytes, mast cells and stromal cells, and are lence have not been well characterised. Identifying
To cite: Mankad R,
Bonnichsen C, Mankad S.
usually responsible for reactive eosinophilia. Clonal patients with HES through the Surveillance,
Heart Published Online First: eosinophils are typically derived from mutated pro- Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database,
[please include Day Month genitors (such as in tyrosine kinase receptors, the incidence was approximately 0.035 per
Year] doi:10.1136/heartjnl- platelet-derived growth factor receptor β and fibro- 100 000.5 Over the 5 year period (2001–2005)
2015-307959 blast growth factor receptor 1).2 The Year 2011 reported in SEER, the median age at diagnosis was
Mankad R, et al. Heart 2015;0:1–7. doi:10.1136/heartjnl-2015-307959 1
Copyright Article author (or their employer) 2015. Produced by BMJ Publishing Group Ltd (& BCS) under licence.
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Review

major cause of death in 247 HES patients.11 The cardiac path-


Table 1 Definition of eosinophil abnormalities based on
ology of HES has been divided into three stages: (1) an acute
suggested revised classification
necrotic stage, (2) a thrombotic stage and (3) a fibrotic stage
Eosinophilia Eosinophil count of >0.5 eosinophils×109/L blood (table 3). The development of the cardiac disease in HES can be
hypereosinophilia (HE) >1.5 eosinophils×109/L blood on two tests ≥1 month unpredictable and the stages may overlap.12 Sustained eosino-
apart and/or tissue HE (based on eosinophils on bone philia does not necessarily always equate to the development of
marrow biopsy or presence of eosinophilic granule
proteins in tissue)
EM and conversely, the degree of cardiac dysfunction does not
Hypereosinophilic Diagnosis of HE plus organ damage/dysfunction
directly correlate with the degree of eosinophilia.
syndrome directly due to HE (with the exclusion of other The first phase of acute necrosis is the result of EM.
conditions as the cause for the organ dysfunction) Eosinophils and lymphocytes infiltrate cardiac tissue, releasing
toxic proteins from degranulating eosinophils.14 15 At this stage,
myocardial necrosis and apoptosis occurs. However, typically
no cardiac symptoms are endorsed by patients at this stage.
52.5 with a male to female ratio of 1.47.5 Certain HES variants However, due to small microemboli that may form on the endo-
appear to occur exclusively in males where others have an equal cardial surface, conjunctival or subungual splinter haemorrhages
distribution between the sexes.4 Until relatively recently, the may be identified.12 Rarely, a more fulminant course of EM may
prognosis was quite poor, but with recent advances in the man- occur that can be rapidly fatal without early diagnosis and
agement of HES along with the earlier diagnosis and treatment treatment.12
of organ involvement, an 80% survival at 5 years and a 42% The second stage occurs when thrombus forms along the
survival at 10–15 years has been reported.6 damaged endocardium. Thrombus formation occurs due to mul-
tiple reasons but is likely directly the result of the disrupted
endothelium, exposing von Willebrand factor and collagen
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY/CLINICAL PRESENTATION which bind platelets and tissue factor (which are vital for the
The extensive infiltration of eosinophils into tissues can in and development of fibrin thrombus).15 The thrombi most often
of itself cause damage if the proliferation is significant enough, develop within both ventricles, typically at the apex but may
but the organ damage may occur through an associated fibrosis.7 extend toward the base of the heart into the subvalvular regions
Activated eosinophils may cause tissue damage through the and less commonly the outflow tracts.16 These thrombi can
release of toxic granules, release of cytokines or recruitment of them embolise causing strokes and ischaemic extremities.17 18
inflammatory cells.8 Overall, it appears that up to 25% of patients with HES develop
As HES can be a multisystem condition, patients may present thromboembolic complications and that 5%–10% die from
with signs and symptoms related to any organ system. Typically those complications.15
symptom onset evolves slowly and can be very nonspecific. The final cardiac stage is one in which fibrosis replaces the
Weakness, fatigue, cough, myalgias, shortness of breath, rash thrombi on the denuded endocardium. EMF leads to scarring.
and diarrhoea may be presenting complaints.2 There is signifi- A restrictive cardiomyopathy develops, with symptoms of dys-
cant heterogeneity in the extent and degree of organ involve- pnoea and signs of left-sided or right-sided heart failure.18 19
ment in a given individual.4 A rash and cough/dyspnoea are the Restriction of the valve leaflets from fibrosis results in valvular
two most common symptoms followed by gastrointestinal dis- regurgitation, with mitral regurgitation seen most commonly.16
turbances. Cardiac and neurologic signs and symptoms are rarer The fibrosis is irreversible and may be the point at which the
but potentially life threatening due to rapid progression of com- patient is first diagnosed with HES.
plications.4 Eosinophilic cardiac disease was first described in The clinical presentation for cardiac involvement as noted
1936 by Wilhelm Loffler who described a ‘fibroplastic parietal above can vary depending on the stage of myocardial damage.
endocarditis with blood eosinophilia’ that is consistent with the Cardiac involvement correlates with the occurrence of embolisa-
EMF seen in HES at later stages. Historically, cardiac involve- tion, clinical heart failure and need for cardiac surgery and can
ment was felt to be present in up to 40%–50% of HES9 10 but be confirmed with echocardiography.9 In an older review, more
may be even higher.11 Cardiac disease is a major cause of mor-
bidity and mortality.6 12 13 A more recent retrospective review
over a 19-year period, identifies cardiac dysfunction as the
Table 3 Stages of cardiac pathology in HES
Stages of cardiac
involvement in HES Characterisation of stage
Table 2 Categories of HES
Category of HES Aetiology/Causes Acute necrosis Eosinophilic myocarditis with eosinophilic and
lymphocytic infiltration. Myocardiac necrosis and
Primary (neoplastic) HES Stem cell, myeloid, or eosinophilic neoplasm: apoptosis with rare microembolic phenomena.
▸ PDGFRA Typically no other cardiac symptoms. Rarely can
▸ PDGFRB exhibit a fulminant course.
▸ FGFR1 Thrombotic stage Thrombus along damaged endocardium. Thrombi
Secondary (reactive) HES Overproduction of eosinophilopoietic cytokines: within apices of one of both ventricles, and can
▸ Parasitic infections encroach on base of the heart into the subvalvular
▸ T-cell lymphoma regions. Embolic phenomena can occur.
▸ Certain solid tumours Fibrotic stage Thrombi are replaced by fibrosis. Scarring occurs.
▸ T-cell lymphocytic variant Restrictive cardiomyopathy with signs and
Idiopathic HES Cause of HE unknown symptoms of left or right sided heart failure.
Fibrosis that occurs at the base of the heart can
FGFR1, fibroblast growth factor receptor 1; HE, hypereosinophilia; HES, lead to valvular regurgitation.
hypereosinophilic syndrome; PDGFRA, platelet-derived growth factor receptor α;
PDGFRB, platelet-derived growth factor receptor β. HES, hypereosinophilic syndrome.

2 Mankad R, et al. Heart 2015;0:1–7. doi:10.1136/heartjnl-2015-307959


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Review

than half of the patients with HES and cardiac pathology, pre- comprehensive evaluation to assess for presence and degree of
sented with dyspnoea; chest pain and cough were seen less organ involvement. This may dictate the urgency of other
often. In that same review, 75% of patients who were evaluated testing as well as potential aetiologies. Initial testing could
had signs and symptoms of heart failure.18 Arrhythmias may include some of the following: a complete blood count, serum
occur as a result of fibrosis of the conduction system or due to vitamin B12 levels, serum immunoglobulins, peripheral blood
the scarring of the myocardium. Myocardial infarctions are rare smear, serum chemistries, creatinine, liver function tests, chest
but can occur as the result of an embolic phenomenon from the X-ray, ECG, troponin level (which has been shown to correlate
left ventricular (LV) apex or outflow tract. Cardiac symptoms with the presence of cardiomyopathy25) and stool samples or
typically evolve over weeks to months but can be more pro- serology for parasites (for those from endemic areas or with a
longed than that.9 travel history). Assessing for organ involvement is important to
It is important to note that EM can occur separately for HES. establish the diagnosis of HES over HE alone. This evaluation
The aetiologies are varied and include malignancy, hypersensi- would include further testing with pulmonary function testing,
tivity myocarditis (HSM), parasitic infections and eosinophilic echocardiography, abdominal imaging (CT most commonly)
granulomatosis with polyangiitis (formerly referred to as and tissue biopsies as appropriate. As part of the haematological
Churg–Strauss). Pathologically, EM is characterised by myocar- assessment, peripheral blood screening would be undertaken
dial inflammation with eosinophils, often with associated and possibly bone marrow biopsy with tissue typing for the
eosinophilia, not necessarily HE, and is distinct in its presenta- characterisation of the aetiology of the HE. There are many var-
tion as it is often more acute than indolent.20 HSM is an auto- iants that would be screened for to assess for clonal aetiologies.
immune reaction in the heart, typically related to a drug One myeloproliferative variant (Fip1-like1-platelet-derived
reaction and can present as rapidly progressive heart failure or growth factor receptor α (FIP1L1-PDGFRA) fusion), which has
sudden death. Multiple drugs have been implicated and patients a poor prognosis, is characterised by elevated serum tryptase
frequently have fever, rash, ECG abnormalities and peripheral which is of importance from a treatment standpoint.25 This par-
eosinophilia. On myocardial biopsy, the pattern is one of inter- ticular cause of HES has an increased incidence of more pro-
stitial infiltrate with eosinophils but with minimal cell necrosis.21 found cardiac disturbances with greater mortality without
EMF can be a separate syndrome in which fibrosis typically at treatment.26
the apices of the left and/or right ventricles (RV), presents with Cardiac diagnosis is typically initially suspected based on signs
symptoms related to a restrictive cardiomyopathy (with left- and symptoms of cardiac dysfunction. ECG is typically non-
sided and right-sided heart failure).22 Although EMF resembles specific and can consist of T-wave inversions, left atrial enlarge-
the late stages of the cardiac involvement in HES, there is not a ment, LV hypertrophy, premature ventricular complexes or first
consistently identified serum or myocardial eosinophilia.23 degree atrioventricular block.18 These changes indicate some
Whether transient eosinophilia is the culprit is unclear. potential underlying cardiac abnormality but are not specific for
Infectious and/or environmental aetiologies have been HES. Echocardiography is a critical diagnostic tool in the evalu-
implicated.24 ation of cardiac disease in HES. During the initial stage of
cardiac involvement (necrotic stage of EM), echocardiography is
DIAGNOSIS typically normal, although wall thickening may be identified if
Per the definition for HES, there must a peripheral eosinophilia there is significant oedema within the myocardium due to the
(eosinophil count >1.5×109/L) or tissue HE (figure 1). This inflammatory process. In the thrombotic stage, thrombi can be
elevation in eosinophils must be present on two separate labora- identified within the apices of either the LV or RV or both
tory tests at least 1 month apart. A careful review of the indivi- (figure 2). The appearance can be mistaken for LV noncompac-
dual’s history for travel to determine parasitic exposure, tion, apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) or even
complete review of medication usage along with a thorough typical LV apical thrombus due to an apical wall motion abnor-
history and exam are important to determine causes for HE. mality. The use of contrast agents, to better define the apex, can
Even if asymptomatic, the patient with HE requires a help differentiate thrombi from apical HCM and noncompac-
tion and can also reveal the preserved systolic function at the
apex in HES that distinguishes it from an apical infarction with

Figure 1 Shown are focal intact eosinophils in myocardium, and focal


intact and degranulated eosinophils within fresh ( probably Figure 2 Transthoracic echo imaging: apical four-chamber view
biopsy-related) thrombus, suggestive of eosinophilic heart disease. demonstrates a large thrombus filling the left ventricular cavity.
Mankad R, et al. Heart 2015;0:1–7. doi:10.1136/heartjnl-2015-307959 3
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Figure 3 Transthoracic echo imaging: (A) (left) demonstrates an apical four-chamber view. Contrast echocardiography clear delineates thrombus
present at the left ventricular apex (white arrow points to black defect of thrombus). (B) Shows the corresponding parasternal short-axis view and
also highlights the benefit of contrast echocardiography at identifying thrombus (white arrow).

thrombus27 (figure 3). Three-dimensional echocardiography limited data on the use of myocardial strain imaging to assess sys-
may improve visualisation of the apices and identify thrombus tolic function in patients with EM but it may be helpful to differ-
in lieu of a contrast agent. The progression from thrombus to entiate a true restrictive cardiomyopathy from merely restrictive
fibrosis is not well identified specifically on echocardiography but filling.28
does have change in the clinical presentation (more heart failure Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging has emerged as a
symptoms vs embolic phenomena). The apices remain obliterated newer modality for the diagnosis of cardiac disease in HES.29–31
but now with fibrosis and less so with thrombus. It is at this stage CMR can detect ventricular thrombi with a higher degree of
that valvular regurgitation may be better identified. The posterior sensitivity and specificity than echocardiography and in addition
leaflet of the mitral valve can become thickened and adherent to contrast-enhanced CMR can identify inflammation and fibrosis
the underlying endocardium of the posterobasal wall, restricting (figures 6 and 7).31 32 Thus, CMR may be able to detect myo-
its motion. The mural thombofibrotic material between the pos- cardial abnormalities in the early stages of the cardiac involve-
terior mitral leaflet and posterobasal LV wall limit the excursion ment in HES (the acute myocarditis/necrotic stage) prior to
of that leaflet and ultimately tether it (figure 4 Significant mitral echocardiographic abnormalities. CMR can be an important
regurgitation can be seen and is typically posteriorly directly due adjuvant imaging tool that may be useful in following the
to the restricted motion of the posterior leaflet. In addition, a cardiac disease course.33 CT imaging has been described as a
restrictive cardiomyopathic picture emerges with characteristic potential tool as well to identify LV thrombus and concomi-
mitral valve Doppler indices of poor LV compliance and elevated tantly assess for coronary artery disease as a potential culprit for
filling pressures (figure 5). This restrictive physiology is typically the presence of apical thrombus.34
related to the endocardial/myocardial fibrosis that occurs; However, despite the importance of the noninvasive imaging
however these hemodynamics may be seen due to the small LV tools, endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) remains the gold standard
cavity caused by a large noncompliant apical ‘mass’.28 There is for the diagnosis of cardiac involvement in HES, particularly

Figure 4 Shown in (A) to the left, is


an apical four-chamber view
demonstrating the endomyocardial
fibrosis extending along lateral wall of
the ventricle (yellow arrows) all the
way down to the posterior mitral
leaflet (red arrow). The posterior mitral
valve leaflet has suffered direct tissue
injury and now demonstrates reduced
leaflet excursion leading to severe
eccentric mitral regurgitation shown in
(B) to the right (RA, right atrium; LA,
left atrium; LV, left ventricle). Image
courtesy of Dr Natesa G Pandian.

4 Mankad R, et al. Heart 2015;0:1–7. doi:10.1136/heartjnl-2015-307959


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Figure 5 Shown is the characteristic mitral Doppler inflow pattern of a restrictive cardiomyopathy pattern (A, left). The mitral valve deceleration
time is 105 ms, with a peak early inflow velocity of 1.1 m/s. The mitral annular tissue Doppler (B, right) also demonstrates classic findings of a
restrictive cardiomyopathy with a markedly reduced early diastolic longitudinal relaxation velocity (0.04 m/s).

early in the course to differentiate EM from other forms of MANAGEMENT OF HES CARDIAC DISEASE
myocarditis. Serial EMB can be used to assess course and treat- HE has multiple potential treatment options, based on the aeti-
ment response. Infiltration of eosinophils into the myocardium ology. The management of cardiac disease in HES is to normal-
may be detected; however, more often fibrosis, mural throm- ise the damaging HE. Corticosteroids are one of the
bus and inflammation of intramural coronary vessels are cornerstones of therapy for HES to reduce eosinophil count and
detected.35 However, it must be recognised that EMB may be counteract inflammation.36 Patients with the FIP1L1-PDGFRA
negative if the process primarily involves the LV rather than mutation should be treated with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (ima-
the RV.9 tinib) given its possible effectiveness37 along with steroids (with

Figure 6 Selected short-axis images


from cardiac MRI study in a patient
with eosinophilic myocarditis. (A)
Steady state free precession (SSFP)
imaging demonstrates marked
thickening of the anterior, lateral and
inferior walls of the left ventricle. (B)
Marked increase in T2 signal involving
the same walls that were thickened on
SSFP imaging, suggesting oedema. (C)
First pass perfusion imaging
demonstrates an inner rim of
non-enhancing thrombus. (D) Delayed
enhancement imaging demonstrates
hyperenhancement involving the
subendocardial region with associated
nonenhancing rind of thrombus along
the subendocardial surface.

Mankad R, et al. Heart 2015;0:1–7. doi:10.1136/heartjnl-2015-307959 5


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Review

and following it serially can help determine treatment


approaches in a timely fashion. Echocardiography is an integral
part of the diagnosis of cardiac involvement but CMR appears
to have an important role. Overall prognosis has improved for
HES, but limited data exist on the best course for cardiac
disease.
Twitter Follow Rekha Mankad at @RMankadMD and Sunil Mankad at
@MDMankad
Contributors All authors contributed in a significant manner to the writing of this
manuscript.
Competing interests None declared.
Provenance and peer review Commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

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Mankad R, et al. Heart 2015;0:1–7. doi:10.1136/heartjnl-2015-307959 7


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Hypereosinophilic syndrome: cardiac


diagnosis and management
Rekha Mankad, Crystal Bonnichsen and Sunil Mankad

Heart published online November 13, 2015

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