Objective To search for the degree of ventricular hvpertrophy and the condition of ventricular systolic and diastolic function in children with endocardial fibroelastosis(EFE). Methods: The left ventricular mass index( LVMI)

systolic and diastolic function were determined by Acuson 128XP color echocardiography instru ment made in the U. S. A. in 16 children with EFE and 17 age - matched normal children. Results : The LVMI was increased

and the left ventricular systolic function was decreased in the EFE cases. The reduction of the left ventricular diastolic function in children with EFE included the drop of E

AC

E/A

EFF and 1 /3FF

extension of LVRT

and increase of A and AFF. The indexes above were detected in 3 children with EFE whose clinical symptoms and signs had disappeared

whose cardiothoracic ratio ( CTR) was less than 0. 55 after treatment for more than 1 year. The results showed that the EF and FS basically recovered to normal levels. The diastolic function was only partly improved. The LVMIs of 3 cases were higher than those of the normal group though they were already obviously decreased. Conclusion: The ventricular hypertrophy was obvious in the children with EFE. The degree of ventricular hypertrophy was noninvasively clearly understcxxl by LVMI detected by color echocardiography. There was a reduction not only in systolic function but also in diastolic function mainly expressed by decrease of left ventricular relaxation in the children with EFE. The clinical recovery must be more fully evaluated not only by improvement in clinical symptoms

signs and chest X - ray study but also by detection of the cardiac function and LVMI.