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Stroke in a hospital-derived cohort of patients with chronic Chagas' disease

R Bestetti1

  • 1Department of Medicine, University of Ribeirão Preto (UNAERP), Uberaba, Brazil.

Acta Cardiologica
|March 9, 2000
PubMed

Insights

The prevalence of stroke in chronic Chagas' disease patients with heart failure is low. Prophylactic anticoagulation is likely not necessary for these individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Neurology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Chronic Chagas' disease frequently leads to cardiomyopathy.
  • Stroke is a potential complication in cardiac patients, but its prevalence in Chagas' disease cardiomyopathy is not well-established.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence of stroke in patients with chronic Chagas' disease and cardiomyopathy.
  • To evaluate the need for routine prophylactic anticoagulation in this patient group.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective follow-up of 79 patients with chronic Chagas' disease at a cardiomyopathy clinic.
  • Data collection included clinical assessment, electrocardiography (ECG), and echocardiography.
  • Follow-up duration averaged 17 months.

Main Results:

  • One patient (1%) experienced a fatal stroke during the study period.
  • Atrial fibrillation was present in 15% of patients; left ventricular thrombus in 4%.
  • No thromboembolic events were observed in patients with left ventricular thrombus.

Conclusions:

  • The stroke prevalence is low in this cohort of Chagas' disease patients with mild to moderate heart failure.
  • Routine prophylactic anticoagulation does not appear to be warranted for these patients.

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