title: Rapidly Progressing Chagas Cardiomyopathy.
abstract: Chagas disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, can cause a potentially life-threatening cardiomyopathy in approximately 10-40% of afflicted individuals. The decline in cardiac function characteristically progresses over the course of many years. We report a case of Chagas disease in which the patient experienced an atypical rapid deterioration to severe cardiomyopathy over the course of 16 months. This case argues the need for increased routine surveillance for patients with confirmed T. cruzi infection, who are determined to be at high-risk for worsening cardiomyopathy.
authors: Department of Cardiology, Olive View-University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center, Sylmar, California jhollowed@dhs.lacounty.gov.
authors: John
authors: J
authors: Hollowed
authors: Department of Cardiology, Olive View-University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center, Sylmar, California.
authors: Matthew
authors: M
authors: McCullough
authors: Department of Cardiology, Olive View-University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center, Sylmar, California.
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Sanchez
authors: Department of Cardiology, Olive View-University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center, Sylmar, California.
authors: Mahmoud
authors: M
authors: Traina
authors: Department of Cardiology, Olive View-University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center, Sylmar, California.
authors: Salvador
authors: S
authors: Hernandez
authors: Department of Cardiology, Olive View-University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Medical Center, Sylmar, California.
authors: Efrain
authors: E
authors: Murillo
mesh_terms: D002598:Chagas Cardiomyopathy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D004452:Echocardiography; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000469:parasitology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged