[Indeterminate form of Chagas' disease. A polymorphic disease]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Medical Diagnostics

Background:

• Chagas' disease is a significant public health concern, particularly in endemic regions.
• The indeterminate form of Chagas' disease is characterized by the absence of clinical symptoms but can harbor subclinical cardiac involvement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between the indeterminate form of Chagas' disease and abnormalities identified via non-invasive cardiovascular diagnostic methods.
• To characterize the prevalence and types of cardiovascular abnormalities in patients with indeterminate Chagas' disease.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 22 patients (17 female, aged 25-50) with indeterminate Chagas' disease underwent multiple non-invasive cardiovascular assessments.
• Evaluations included vectorcardiography, echocardiography, stress testing, dynamic electrocardiography, and scintigraphic studies (ventriculography and cardiac mapping).

Main Results:

• High percentages of abnormal findings were observed across various tests: vectorcardiogram (68.2%), echocardiogram (15.8%), cardiac mapping (61.8%), scintigraphic ventriculography (68.2%), stress test (72.2%), and dynamic electrocardiography (50%).
• Conduction disturbances and ventricular arrhythmias were common findings on vectorcardiography and dynamic electrocardiography, respectively.
• A significant majority of patients (63.6%) displayed abnormalities in more than three diagnostic tests.

Conclusions:

• The indeterminate form of Chagas' disease is a chronic condition with potentially attenuated aggressive potential.
• Cardiovascular involvement in this form of Chagas' disease is polymorphic and best detected through comprehensive non-invasive propedeutic techniques.
• Early detection of subclinical cardiac changes is crucial for managing patients with indeterminate Chagas' disease.