Open AccessChagas Cardiomyopathy: An Update of Current Clinical Knowledge and Management: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
Author(s) -
Maria Carmo Pereira Nunes,
Andrea Beaton,
Harry Acquatella,
Caryn Bern,
Ann F. Bolger,
Luis Eduardo Echeverría,
Walderez Ornelas Dutra,
Joaquím Gascon,
Carlos A. Morillo,
Jamary OliveiraFilho,
Antônio Luiz Pinho Ribeiro,
José Antônio Marin-Neto
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
circulation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.795
H-Index - 607
eISSN - 1524-4539
pISSN - 0009-7322
DOI - 10.1161/cir.0000000000000599
Subject(s) - medicine , chagas disease , cardiomyopathy , disease , intensive care medicine , heart disease , health care , trypanosoma cruzi , heart failure , disease management , family medicine , pathology , cardiology , parasite hosting , world wide web , computer science , economics , economic growth , parkinson's disease
Background: Chagas disease, resulting from the protozoanTrypanosoma cruzi , is an important cause of heart failure, stroke, arrhythmia, and sudden death. Traditionally regarded as a tropical disease found only in Central America and South America, Chagas disease now affects at least 300 000 residents of the United States and is growing in prevalence in other traditionally nonendemic areas. Healthcare providers and health systems outside of Latin America need to be equipped to recognize, diagnose, and treat Chagas disease and to prevent further disease transmission.Methods and Results: The American Heart Association and the Inter-American Society of Cardiology commissioned this statement to increase global awareness among providers who may encounter patients with Chagas disease outside of traditionally endemic environments. In this document, we summarize the most updated information on diagnosis, screening, and treatment ofT cruzi infection, focusing primarily on its cardiovascular aspects. This document also provides quick reference tables, highlighting salient considerations for a patient with suspected or confirmed Chagas disease.Conclusions: This statement provides a broad summary of current knowledge and practice in the diagnosis and management of Chagas cardiomyopathy. It is our intent that this document will serve to increase the recognition of Chagas cardiomyopathy in low-prevalence areas and to improve care for patients with Chagas heart disease around the world.