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. 2012 Jul 26;4(7):234-9.
doi: 10.4330/wjc.v4.i7.234.

Emerging and under-recognized Chagas cardiomyopathy in non-endemic countries

Joana Cortez  1 , Rui Providência, Evelise Ramos, Cristina Valente, Jorge Seixas, Manuela Meruje, António Leitão-Marques, António Vieira
Affiliations

Emerging and under-recognized Chagas cardiomyopathy in non-endemic countries

Joana Cortez et al. World J Cardiol. .

Abstract

Due to recent population emigration movements, an epidemic of Chagas disease is currently menacing most developed countries. The authors report the case of a 53-year-old Brazilian woman living in Europe for the last 10 years who developed heart failure symptoms, having a previous symptomatic sinus node disease with a pacemaker implant at age of 40 years. The diagnosis was based on serology and myocardial biopsy and the patient was treated with nifurtimox. The authors emphasize the need of a high level of suspicion in patients with suggestive epidemiology and the need of populational screening of specific high risk groups. New treatment options are also discussed.

Keywords: Benznidazole; Chagas cardiomyopathy; Chagas disease; Dysrhythmia; Emigration; Nifurtimox; Non-endemic countries.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Transthoracic echocardiogram: apical 4-chamber view (A), parasternal long-axis (B); and (C) left ventricle angiogram showing a dilated and aneurysmatic left ventricle (36.37 mm/m2 end diastolic and 31.44 mm/m2 end systolic diameter) with generalized hypokinesia.
Figure 2
Figure 2
T. cruzi pseudocyst (arrow). A: Heart muscle, Giemsa staining, 100×; B: Heart muscle, hematoxylin-eosin staining, 100×.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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