Determinants of minute ventilation-carbon dioxide production relationship in Chagas cardiomyopathy.

Introduction: The minute ventilation-carbon dioxide production relationship (VE/VCO2 slope) is among the main prognostic factors of Chagas cardiomyopathy whose determinants remain unknown.

Methods: Seventy-eight patients with Chagas cardiomyopathy were evaluated using clinical assessment, cardiopulmonary exercise test, echocardiography, and International Physical Activity Questionnaire.

Results: Age, functional class, International Physical Activity Questionnaire score, and dilated cardiomyopathy with systolic dysfunction were independent determinants of VE/VCO2 slope, and these variables explained 63% of its variance.

Conclusions: The VE/VCO2 slope was related to age, functional class, physical activity level, and dilated cardiomyopathy with systolic dysfunction in patients with Chagas cardiomyopathy.