FAMILIAL CONGESTIVE CARDIOMYOPATHY WITH POSITIVE RHEUMATOID FACTOR : REPORT OF ONE FAMILY.

Abstract

Three members of one family had cardiomyopathy of the congestive type. Autopsies of 2 brothers revealed marked dilatation of the left ventricle with diffuse interstitial fibrosis of unknown origin. The father's diagnosis was based on clinical findings. In one brother, a positive latex fixation test for rheumatoid factor had been documented when he were healthy. Another brother had a positive test for rheumatoid factor almost simultaneously with the onset of the disease. It remained positive until both died. Thus, the positive rheumatoid factor presumably reflected primary or independent immunologic defects rather than a secondary immunologic mechanism in these cases of familial congestive cardiomyopathy.