Clinical profile of patients with Chagas' disease before and during sustained ventricular tachycardia

Sustained ventricular tachycardia was diagnosed in 15 patients undergoing ordinary activity with Chagas' disease seen at our Institute from 1978 to 1989. Palpitations were observed in 11 (66%) of the patients, dyspnea in 7 (46%), atypical chest pain in 5 (33%) and syncope in 2 (13%). Cardiac arrhythmia was detected in 4 (26%) on physical examination. The resting electrocardiogram showed premature ventricular contractions in 13 (86%) patients, ST-T changes in 12 (80%), left axis deviation in 9 (60%) and right bundle branch block in 4 (26%). Chest X-rays showed mild cardiomegaly in 8 (53%) and moderate cardiomegaly in 3 (20%) patients. Mild left ventricular dysfunction was detected echocardiographically in 1 (10%), moderate in 3 (30%) and severe in 1 (10%) of the 10 patients studied. During sustained ventricular tachycardia, dyspnea was found in 7 of 15 (46%) patients, palpitations in 6 (40%), atypical chest pain in 6 (40%), syncope in 1 (6%), systemic arterial hypotension in 3 (20%) and cardiogenic shock in 2 (13%). The electrocardiographic findings were as follows: mean heart rate was 201 bpm; mean QRS lengthening was 0.16 sec; right bundle branch block plus right axis deviation was seen in 5 of 15 (33%) patients; right bundle branch block plus left axis deviation in 4 (26%); and a positive concordance of all precordial leads in 5 (33%) patients. Based on these findings, we conclude that the majority of patients with Chagas' disease who develop sustained ventricular tachycardia do not have severe myocardial disease, show an uncommon electrocardiographic pattern of this arrhythmia, and most importantly, have a benign clinical course.