Intestinal permeability evaluation in patients with chronic Chagas heart failure.

Aims: We analysed intestinal permeability in patients with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC) and evaluated its association with clinical manifestations, haemodynamic parameters measured by echocardiogram, and disease outcome. Intestinal permeability was compared between CCC patients and a group of healthy controls.

Background: Intestinal dysfunction may contribute to a more severe disease presentation with worse outcome in patients with CCC and heart failure.

Biomakers in Chronic Chagas Cardiomyopathy.

The primary objective was to observe the relationship between serum levels of BNP, Ca-125, C-reactive protein and uric acid as prognostic and functional markers in patients with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC). Circulating levels of cytokines: IL-1β, TNFα, IL-10, IL6, IL-8 and IL-12 were determined and investigated regarding their association with hemodynamic parameters, clinical signs of heart failure and outcome. Chagas is still a neglected disease that affects numerous individuals, many of them in their most productive years.