Chagas cardiomyopathy and ischemic stroke

Abstract

American trypanosomiasis, known as Chagas disease is a major cause of cardiomyopathy in South America. Irreversible damage to the heart can appear 10–20 years after chagasic infection. The relationship between Chagas cardiomyopathy and ischemic stroke has been reviewed. Significant variables that predict ichemic stroke in chagasic patients have been identified: apical aneurysm, cardiac insufficiency, electrocardiogram arrhythmia and female gender. Chagasic cardiomyopathy should be included in the differential diagnosis of the etiology of stroke, being a potential source of cardioembolic stroke.

Keywords::

• American trypanosomiasis
• cardiomyopathy
• Chagas disease
• ischemic stroke