Mortality in hypereosinophilic syndrome: 19 years of experience at Mayo Clinic with a review of the literature

BackgroundInformation in the literature regarding causes of mortality in patients with hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES) is limited.MethodsThis was a retrospective review of the morbidities and causes of death in HES patients at Mayo Clinic.ResultsOverall, out of the 247 diagnosed HES patients, 23 died during the 19 years that this review encompassed. The cause of death was identified in 15 patients (65%): cardiac dysfunction in 5 (33%), infection in 3 (20%), unrelated malignancy in 3 (20%), thromboembolic phenomena in 2 (13%), and vascular disease in 2 (13%).ConclusionTargeted monitoring of the at-risk end organs, combined with early treatment, may have the ability to improve survival and reduce morbidity in HES patients.