Jorge Ignacio Magana MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Gabriela Melendez MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Aloha Meave, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Leyli C Velasquez MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Cynthia Romero-Aragones MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To assess the characteristics in cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) of Chagas disease according to the clinical stage.

We analyzed forty-eight patients with positive anti-T. cruzi antibodies that underwent CMR for evaluation of late enhancement and functional ventricular parameters. Patients were divided according to the clinical stage: indeterminate (7 patients), subclinical (5 patients) and Chagas cardiomyopathy (36 patients). Chagas cardiomyopathy (CC) patients were divided according to their clinical presentation 18 patients in heart failure (HF) and 18 ventricular tachycardia (VT) patients.

Progressive increase in measurements, global LV volumes and myocardial segments with late enhancement (LE), as well as a decrease in LVEF as the clinical stage progresses was found. There was an inverse relationship between the number of segments with LE and LVEF. Patients with VT had higher LVEF and lower ventricular volumes compared with patients with HF (LVEF 38.3% vs 21.9%, p<0.005, EDV 167.3 vs 229 ml, p= 0.02)

A progressive increase in segments with LE and decrease in LEVF as the clinical stage progresses. Patients with VT had higher LEVF and lower EDV compared to patients with HF.

Chagas disease is widely distributed in developing latin american countries. The clinical scenarios of the disease between Mexico and other countries are different, but both share fatal ventricular arrhythmias and progression to congestive heart failure. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is an excellent method that may help to establish these different scenarios and detect those at higher risk and worst outcome.

Magana, J, Melendez, G, Meave, A, Velasquez, L, Romero-Aragones, C, Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance in Chagas Disease: Differences by Clinical Stages and its Impact.  Radiological Society of North America 2014 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, - ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2014/14019069.html