Backgrounds. Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia

(CEP) is a rare disorder characterized by eosinophilic pulmonary

infiltrates and progressive respiratory failure.

Patient and method. A 78-years old male with heart failure

presented with progressive dyspnea, persistent cough and respiratory

failure. Chest radiograph showed bilateral pulmonary

infiltrates. His physical deterioration progressed after

cardiac recompensation. Pulmonary infiltrates resolved and

presenting symptoms disappeared during steroid treatment.

Despite of atypical radiographic presentation laboratory changes

and histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of

chronic eosinophilic pneumonia.

Conclusions. Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia is a rare disease,

but it should be considered even in older patients with

heart failure, when peripheral blood eosinophilia and pulmonary

infiltrates hardly explainable only with left-sided heart

failure are present.