Prevalence and clinical course of patients with chronic heart failure secondary to chronic Chagas heart disease associated with obstructive coronary artery disease.

Background: The prevalence and the outcomes of patients with chronic Chagas heart disease with obstructive coronary artery disease (CCHD-CAD) and chronic heart failure (CHF) with precordial chest pain are unsettled. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and clinical course of patients with CHF secondary to CCHD-CAD.

Methods: Patients with positive serology for Chagas disease and systolic CHF were included; those with precordial chest pain and at least two risk factors for CAD underwent coronary arteriogram.

Prognostic Significance of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD-EPI Equation) and Anemia in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure Secondary to Chagas Cardiomyopathy.

Background: Few studies regarding chronic kidney disease (CKD) and anemia have been conducted in patients with Chagas cardiomyopathy (CC). We evaluated the risk prediction performance of the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation and anemia in CC patients.

Methods: From 2000 to 2010, a total of 232 patients were studied in a single-center retrospective study.

The use of the CALL Risk Score for predicting mortality in Brazilian heart failure patients.

Aims: This study aimed to develop and validate a simple method for predicting long-term all-cause mortality in ambulatory patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) residing in an area where Chagas disease is endemic, which will be important not only for patients living in Latin America but also to those living in developed non-endemic countries.

Methods And Results: A total of 677 patients with a wide spectrum of aetiologies for left ventricular systolic dysfunction and receiving optimized evidence-based treatment for CHF were prospectively followed for approximately 11 years. We established a risk score using Cox proportional hazard regression models.

Does left ventricular reverse remodeling influence long-term outcomes in patients with Chagas cardiomyopathy?

Background: The impact of left ventricular reverse remodeling (LVRR) on the prognosis of Chagas cardiomyopathy is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine whether the presence of LVRR can predict mortality in these patients.

Methods: From January 2000 to December 2010, the medical charts of 159 patients were reviewed.

Outcome of Chagas cardiomyopathy in comparison to ischemic cardiomyopathy.

Background: Chagas cardiomyopathy and ischemic heart disease (IHD) are frequent causes of chronic systolic heart failure (CHF) in areas where the former is endemic. Nonetheless, a specific comparison of outcome and role of etiology of CHF failure has not been performed in patients with both conditions.

Methods: Two-hundred twenty two patients with Chagas cardiomyopathy and 79 with IHD with CHF were included in the study.

Comparison of outcome between Chagas cardiomyopathy and idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Background: Little is known about the outcome of patients with Chagas cardiomyopathy in comparison to that of patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in the contemporary era.

Objective: To compare the outcome of chagasic patients with chronic systolic heart failure secondary to Chagas cardiomyopathy with that observed in patients with IDC in the contemporary era.

Methods: A total of 352 patients (246 with Chagas cardiomyopathy, 106 with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy) prospectively followed at our Institution from January, 2000 to January, 2008 were included.

Prognostic significance of anemia in patients with chronic systolic heart failure secondary to Chagas' cardiomyopathy.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of anemia on outcome of patients with chronic systolic heart failure secondary to Chagas' cardiomyopathy, as no previous study has previously addressed this question. One-hundred-eight-six patients followed for chronic systolic heart failure secondary to Chagas' cardiomyopathy at our Institution from January 2000 to December 2008 were studied. Forty-nine (26%) patients were found to have anemia; 37 (20%) were men and 12 (6%) were women.

Effects of B-Blockers on outcome of patients with Chagas' cardiomyopathy with chronic heart failure.

Background: A few studies have shown a beneficial effect of B-Blocker therapy on cardiac function and functional status in patients with chronic heart failure secondary to Chagas' cardiomyopathy.

Methods: The medical charts of patients routinely followed from January, 2000 to January, 2007 were reviewed to collect clinical, standard laboratory tests, 12-lead electrocardiogram, chest X-Ray, and Doppler echochardiogram variables. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to establish independent predictors of all-cause mortality for patients with Chagas' cardiomyopathy with chronic heart failure.

Predictors of all-cause mortality in chronic Chagas' heart disease in the current era of heart failure therapy.

Background And Aims: We sought to identify predictors of all-cause mortality for Chagas' disease patients with chronic systolic heart failure because they are virtually lacking in the current era of heart failure therapy.

Methods And Results: This study focus on 127 patients with the diagnosis of chronic systolic heart failure secondary to Chagas' cardiomyopathy. Mean follow up was 25+/-19 months.