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[Heart and schistosomiasis (author's transl)]
Insights
Schistosomiasis frequently causes pulmonary hypertension due to granulomas and arteriolitis. It can also lead to myocardial deficiency and systemic hypertension, with rare cases of heart failure.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Parasitology
Background:
- Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease with significant cardiovascular implications.
- Previous studies have explored its clinical, epidemiological, and hemodynamic effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the cardiovascular manifestations of schistosomiasis.
- To analyze the relationship between schistosomiasis and pulmonary hypertension, myocarditis, and systemic hypertension.
Main Methods:
- Review of three previously reported studies.
- Analysis of clinical, epidemiological, and hemodynamic data.
Main Results:
- Schistosomiasis frequently causes pulmonary arterial hypertension (21.6%) linked to granulomas and arteriolitis.
- Myocardial deficiency can result from anemia and treatment; myocarditis is rarely proven.
- Parasitic urinary tract changes may lead to systemic hypertension.
- Rare instances of acute pulmonary heart insufficiency are noted; the role in constrictive endomyocarditis is uncertain.
Conclusions:
- Schistosomiasis presents diverse cardiovascular complications, notably pulmonary hypertension.
- Further research is needed to clarify its role in specific cardiac conditions like constrictive endomyocarditis.
Abstract:
The review is based on three studies previously reported and involving the clinical, epidemiological and hemodynamic aspects of this problem. Schistosomasis may give frequently (21.6 p. 100) an arterial pulmonary hyperpressure related to the development of granulomas and arteriolitis. A myocarditis may be suspected but is rarely proved. Anemia and specific treatment are also responsible for myocardial deficiency. The parasitic changes of the urinary tract may give a systemic hypertension. Some very rare cases of acute pulmonary heart insufficiency have been reported and the responsibility of schistosomiasis in constrictive fibrous endomyocarditis is still questionned.