Chagas Heart Disease: Beyond a Single Complication, from Asymptomatic Disease to Heart Failure

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Tropical Medicine

Background:

• Chagas cardiomyopathy (CC) is a significant cause of heart disease and death, particularly in developing nations.
• Affecting an estimated 6-7 million people worldwide, Chagas disease (CD) is recognized by the WHO as a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD).
• CC presents diagnostic and clinical challenges across various healthcare settings and geographical locations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current global incidence and prevalence of Chagas disease (CD).
• To elucidate the primary pathogenic mechanisms underlying Chagas cardiomyopathy (CC).
• To outline the clinical presentation and diagnostic approaches for CC.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive literature search was conducted across multiple databases including Medline, PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central, Google Scholar, and EBSCO.
• The review encompassed studies published from 1968 to October 2022, including multicenter trials, bioinformatics studies, systematic and bibliographic reviews, clinical cases, and international guidelines.
• Reference lists of selected articles were meticulously checked, with no restrictions on language or study design.

Main Results:

• The review synthesizes data on the epidemiology of Chagas disease (CD).
• It details the key pathophysiological pathways leading to Chagas cardiomyopathy (CC).
• The clinical manifestations and diagnostic strategies for CC are comprehensively described.

Conclusions:

• Chagas cardiomyopathy (CC) remains a critical public health concern with substantial global impact.
• A thorough understanding of CC's pathogenesis, clinical features, and diagnostic methods is essential for effective management.
• Timely recognition and diagnosis are vital for addressing the challenges posed by this neglected tropical disease.