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8129

Current and emerging therapeutic options for the treatment of chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy

Review

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Authors: Claudio A Muratore, Adrian Baranchuk

Published Date July 2010 Volume 2010:6 Pages 593 - 601
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/VHRM.S8355

Claudio A Muratore1, Adrian Baranchuk2

1Department of Cardiology, Arrhythmia Service, Hospital Fernandez, Buenos Aires, Argentina; 2Department of Cardiology, Arrhythmia Service, Kingston General Hospital, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

Abstract: Chagas’ disease is an endemic disease in Latin America caused by a unicellular parasite (Trypanosoma cruzi) that affects almost 18 million people. This condition involves the heart, causing heart failure, arrhythmias, heart block, thromboembolism, stroke, and sudden death. In this article, we review the current and emerging treatment of Chagas’ cardiomyopathy focusing mostly on management of heart failure and arrhythmias. Heart failure therapeutical options including drugs, stem cells and heart transplantation are revised. Antiarrhythmic drugs, catheter ablation, and intracardiac devices are discussed as well. Finally, the evidence for a potential role of specific antiparasitic treatment for the prevention of cardiovascular disease is reviewed.

Keywords: chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy, emerging therapeutic options
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