Cardiac surgery for Chagas disease

Abstract

Although Chagas disease is a rare entity in North America, it is associated with significant cardiac morbidity. It is estimated that 20-30% of those who are infected will eventually develop cardiovascular disease secondary to Chagas disease. We review the literature and share our experience on the surgical management of this challenging patient population.

Keywords: Trypanosoma Cruzi; aneurysm repair; cardiac surgery; chagas disease; left ventricle; left ventricular aneurysm.