To introduce the epidemical

pathological

and clinical characteristics as well as the diagnostic and therapeutical experiences of endomyocardial fibrosis（EMF） in China. [WT5”BX] Data sources.[WT5”BZ]A CMBdisc search was done of the Chinese language literature published from January 1983 through June 1997 about EMF and/or restrictive cardiomyopathy. A manual search was then done for other contributions

including abstracts

between January 1965 and June 1997. [WT5”BX] Results. [WT5”BZ]Eighty seven Chinese cases of EMF were collected in this paper. There were 49 men and 38 women

with a mean age of 28±13 years（range

8 to 68 years）. The distribution of the cases is mainly in the south of China. Combined right and left ventricular disease occurs in 48 percent of cases

with pure right ventricular involvement occurring in 42 percent and pure left ventricular involvement in the remaining 10 percent of patients who are examined postmortem. The diagnosis of EMF was confirmed in 21 cases at autopsy

and in 66 cases by echocardiography

angiocardiography

and/or endomyocardial biopsy which showed the characteristic changes. Clinically

right sided disease is the commonest variety. Endocardiectomy and tricuspid（n=7） or mitral（n=1） valves replacement have been performed in 8 patients. There were 2 operative deaths. Six patients had a satisfactory recovery postoperatively and living well in the follow up duration. [WT5”BX] Conclusion.