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Chagas disease and amiodarone: a bibliometric and systematic review from cell to patient

Juliana Magalhães Chaves Barbosa1,2, Raquel Barreto Duarte1, Henrique Horta Veloso3

  • 1Cell Biology Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Frontiers in Pharmacology
|April 17, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Amiodarone (AMIO) shows potential for treating Chagas disease (CD) by addressing arrhythmias and possibly killing the parasite. However, more clinical studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness in Chagas cardiomyopathy patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Chagas disease (CD) is a prevalent neglected tropical illness in Latin America caused by *Trypanosoma cruzi*.
  • Arrhythmias are common in Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC), with amiodarone (AMIO) being a standard treatment.
  • Emerging evidence suggests AMIO may possess trypanocidal properties, prompting investigation into its broader therapeutic role in CD.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the existing evidence on amiodarone (AMIO) therapy for Chagas disease (CD) treatment.
  • To combine bibliometric and systematic review methods to analyze AMIO's use in CD.
  • To identify research gaps and future directions for AMIO in CD management.

Main Methods:

  • Bibliometric analysis using Bibliometrix in R and VOSviewer for network visualization.
  • Systematic review adhering to PRISMA guidelines.
  • Literature search conducted in PubMed, including 52 original articles.

Main Results:

  • Research contributions predominantly from Latin America, with Brazil as the leading country.
  • Identified trends include treatment outcomes, AMIO's antiarrhythmic effects, potential trypanocidal activity, combination therapy, and anti-inflammatory effects.
  • Significant research gap identified in rigorous clinical studies on AMIO for chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC).

Conclusions:

  • Amiodarone (AMIO) has demonstrated potential in managing Chagas disease (CD) symptoms and may have direct antiparasitic effects.
  • There is a critical need for robust clinical trials to ascertain AMIO's efficacy and safety in treating chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC).
  • Further research is warranted to fully elucidate AMIO's therapeutic potential in the comprehensive management of Chagas disease.
Abstract

Keywords:
Chagas diseaseTrypanosoma cruziamiodaronebibliometric and systematic reviewcardiomyopathy

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