title: Arrhythmias in chagasic cardiomyopathy.
abstract: Chagas disease, a chronic parasitosis caused by the protozoa Trypanosoma cruzi, is an increasing worldwide problem because of the number of cases in endemic areas and the migration of infected individuals to more developed regions. Chagas disease affects the heart through cardiac parasympathetic neuronal depopulation, immune-mediated myocardial injury, parasite persistence in cardiac tissue with secondary antigenic stimulation, and coronary microvascular abnormalities causing myocardial ischemia. A lack of knowledge exists for risk stratification, management, and prevention of ventricular arrhythmias in patients with chagasic cardiomyopathy. Catheter ablation can be effective for the management of recurrent ventricular tachycardia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Electrophysiology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1295 NW 14th Street, South Building, Suite A, Miami, FL 33125, USA.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Healy
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Electrophysiology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1295 NW 14th Street, South Building, Suite A, Miami, FL 33125, USA.
authors.forename: Juan F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Viles-Gonzalez
authors.affiliation: Cardiólogo-Electrofisiólogo, Fundación Cardio Infantil-Instituto de Cardiología, Calle 163A No 13B-60, Bogotá, Colombia.
authors.forename: Luis C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Sáenz
authors.affiliation: Cardiólogo-Electrofisiólogo, Fundación Cardio Infantil-Instituto de Cardiología, Calle 163A No 13B-60, Bogotá, Colombia.
authors.forename: Mariana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Soto
authors.affiliation: Cardiólogo-Electrofisiólogo, Fundación Cardio Infantil-Instituto de Cardiología, Calle 163A No 13B-60, Bogotá, Colombia.
authors.forename: Juan D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Ramírez
authors.affiliation: Hospital Cardiologico, Rodovia SC 401, 121, Itacorubi, Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil, CEP: 88030-000. Electronic address: andredavila@mac.com.
authors.forename: Andre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: d'Avila
mesh_terms: D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac; D002598:Chagas Cardiomyopathy; D006801:Humans
keywords: Chagas disease; Epicardial ablation; Sudden cardiac death; Trypanosoma cruzi; Ventricular tachycardia