Abstract Background: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) is beneficial for patients with heart failure (HF) who have left bundle branch block. However, the benefits of CRT in patients with prior cardiac stimulation remain uncertain. Objective: Compare short-term mortality between upgrade and de novo CRT implantation. Methods: This prospective cohort study included patients with HF indicated for CRT with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) below 35%. Overall survival was assessed using the Kaplan–Meier method, and multivariate analysis was performed using a Cox […]

This case concerns a 62-year-old man diagnosed with chagasic cardiomyopathy, presenting with a dilated and arrhythmogenic form, showing significant ventricular dysfunction, and currently undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy with a previously implanted implantable cardioverter defibrillator. In the outpatient setting prior to admission, the patient’s medical records indicate recurrent ventricular arrhythmias and multiple appropriate shocks from the device over recent years. Upon admission to the emergency department, the patient complained of severe asthenia, abdominal pain, postprandial vomiting, and choking persisting for a […]

ABSTRACT Background: Studies analyzing atrial activation on electrocardiograms (ECGs) have usually highlighted P-wave duration, P-wave dispersion, PR interval, P/PRi ratio, and atrial activation time (AAT). Although these indices can be predictors of atrial fibrillation (AF) in different clinical contexts, no study has analyzed them in the context of Chagas disease (CD). Objectives: To evaluate the following electrocardiographic indices as predictors of AF in CD: P-wave duration, AAT, P-wave dispersion, PR Interval, and P/PRi ratio. Methods: This retrospective study examined ECGs […]

Abstract Chagas disease has become globalized as a result of the migratory process of infected patients to non-endemic areas. With the considerable number of individuals affected by the disease, detection and treatment of its chronic manifestations is a relevant and necessary issue. Growing attention has been paid to chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC), which includes heart failure, malignant arrhythmias, conduction disturbances and thromboembolic events. Many pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for CCC are still extrapolations of existing evidence on the treatment of […]

Where it all began The history of the Chagas Disease and Heart Failure Outpatient Clinic of the Prof. Luiz Tavares Cardiology Emergency Unit of Pernambuco, at Universidade de Pernambuco (UPE), began in August 1987 at Hospital Universitário Oswaldo Cruz (HUOC). When it was created, in 1884, this hospital worked mainly providing care for patients with infectious and parasitic diseases. Since that time, the hospital worked with diseases that later became known as unassisted (nowadays named and classified as neglected diseases […]