Prevalence and risk factors of embolic cerebrovascular events associated with Chagas heart disease.

Background: Patients with Chagas disease are at increased risk for stroke that may result in major clinical disability and death. Identification of risk factors involved in the genesis of thromboembolic events related to this disease may lead to improved therapeutic decision making and outcomes.

Objectives: This study sought to assess the prevalence of ischemic cerebrovascular events (ICE) among patients with Chagas heart disease and to identify the risk factors associated with cardioembolism in this population.