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Chagas heart disease: A contemporary review

  • Review Article
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Journal of Nuclear Cardiology Aims and scope

Abstract

Chagas disease is caused by a parasite infection endemic of the Americas. Traditionally observed in rural areas of Latin America, current migration trends have turned Chagas disease into a global epidemic. Acute infection is rarely severe and once it resolves, some patients can develop cardiomyopathy as part of the chronic form many years later. Multiple factors related with both the host and the parasite determine the susceptibility and progression to cardiomyopathy. Current imaging techniques are able to identify cardiac autonomic denervation, perfusion abnormalities, and myocardial fibrosis at an early of stage before the development of symptoms. The prognosis of patients with Chagasic cardiomyopathy remains poor and life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias can occur at an early stage. Treatment of chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy is challenging with a great need for more studies in the field.

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Disclosure

Dr. Velasco has no relevant disclosures related to this work. Dr. Morillo received grants from the Canadian Institute of Health Research and The Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cardiology Division, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 201 Boshell Diabetes Building, 1808 7th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA

    Alejandro Velasco MD

  2. Department of Cardiac Sciences, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada

    Carlos A. Morillo MD

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  1. Alejandro Velasco MD
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  2. Carlos A. Morillo MD
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Correspondence to Alejandro Velasco MD.

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Velasco, A., Morillo, C.A. Chagas heart disease: A contemporary review. J. Nucl. Cardiol. 27, 445–451 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12350-018-1361-1

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