In normal subjects, myocardial velocities assessed with Doppler tissue imaging (DTI) increase by a mean of 140% during dobutamine stress echocardiography. Objectives The purpose of this study was to investigate whether dobutamine stress echo associated with left ventricular (LV) DTI could demonstrate incipient cardiomyopathy in patients with Chagas disease without evidence of heart disease assessed by conventional tests. We evaluated 39 patients (14 men and 25 women) with a mean age of 44 years (range 29 to 67 years), who were serologically positive for Chagas disease without obvious heart disease (group A). Heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured. Chest X-rays and ECG's were performed. The following parameters were measured with Doppler-echocardiography: left ventricular diastolic (LVDD) and systolic (LVSD) diameters, fractional shortening (FS), segmental wall motion and LV area fractional shortening (AFS), E and A velocities (m/ sec) and mitral flow E/A ratio. Myocardial velocities (Vm), diastolic Em velocity (myocardial velocity during rapid filling), Am (myocardial velocity during atrial contraction), Sm systolic velocity and the Em/ Am ratio were measured with DTI in the basal segment of the anterolateral wall and the mid segment of the lower septum. Dobutamine was administered up to a dose of 40 gammas/kg/min and measurements were repeated with the maximum dose. These results were compared to those obtained in 15 normal subjects (group B). Results Post dobutamine, HR increased from 65 beats per minute (bpm) to 120 bpm in group A (p<0.001) and from 74 to 151 bpm in group B (p<0.001). Maximum HR attained was lower in group A than in group B; i.e., 120 vs. 151 bpm (p<0.01). Wall motion was normal in 38 patients (group A). Post dobutamine, the increase in Vm compared to baseline Vm were, in group A: Em 9% (NS), Am 6.6% (NS) and Sm 15% (NS) and in group B: Em 46% (p < 0.05), Am 72% (p < 0.01) and Sm 108% (p < 0.01). Post dobutamine, FS and AFS were significantly increased in both groups. Statistical Analysis The Wilcoxon test was used (Kiwistat 2001) and a p value <0.05 was considered significant. Conclusions Patients with Chagas disease exhibited chronotropic impairment and a lesser increase in Vm post stress than normal subjects. The scarce increase in Vm with dobutamine could suggest the presence of an incipient cardiomyopathy.

Las velocidades miocárdicas evaluadas por Doppler pulsado tisular (DPT) presentan un incremento promedio del 140% bajo efecto del eco estrés con dobutamina en sujetos normales. Objetivos El propósito del estudio fue investigar si el eco estrés con dobutamina asociado con el DPT del ventrículo izquierdo (VI) podría evidenciar miocardiopatía incipiente en pacientes con enfermedad de Chagas sin cardiopatía demostrada por exámenes convencionales. Se estudiaron 39 pacientes (14 hombres y 25 mujeres), cuya edad media era de 44 años (rango 29 a 67), seropositivos para enfermedad de Chagas sin cardiopatía evidente (grupo A). Se determinaron la frecuencia cardíaca (FC) y la tensión arterial sistólica y diastólica (TAS y TAD). Se realizaron radiografía de tórax y ECG. Por eco-Doppler se midieron los siguientes parámetros: diámetros del ventrículo izquierdo diastólico (DDVI) y sistólico (DSVI), fracción de acortamiento (FA), motilidad segmentaria y fracción de acortamiento de área del VI (FAA), velocidades (V) E, A (m/seg) y relación E/A del flujo mitral. Con DPT se evaluaron en los segmentos basal de la pared anterolateral y medio del septum inferior las velocidades miocárdicas (Vm) diastólicas Em (velocidad miocárdica durante el llenado rápido), Am (velocidad miocárdica durante la contracción auricular), sistólica Sm y relación Em/Am. Se administró dobutamina en dosis de hasta 40 gammas/kg/min y se repitieron las determinaciones con la dosis máxima. Estos resultados se compararon con los obtenidos en 15 sujetos normales (grupo B).

Work Objective: We evaluated way of transmission, reactivation and evolution of Chagas´ disease in HIV patients. Research Design and Methods Hospitalized patients with AIDS and a positive Chagas serum reaction were included. Epidemiology, drug addiction, Chagas disease reactivation, the most affected target organ, time delay in the antiparasitic treatment onset and long term evolution were evaluated. Serology, parasite search in blood and cephalorachidian fluid, and complementary cardiologic and neurological studies were performed. The study was retrospective, observational; chi² and Fischer exact test were used as statistical methods. Results Eight patients with Chagas´ disease and AIDS comorbidity were included. Transmission was vectorial in 5 patients (62,5%) and it was highly probable by intravenous drug addiction in 3 patients (37,5%). 2 out of the 3 latter presented negative serum reaction for Chagas with positive blood parasite. Chagas disease reactivation was the institutionalisation cause in 5 patients (62,5%) and among these, 4 had CNS damage and 1 had myocarditis. Four out of 5 patients with Chagas disease reactivation died despite Benznidazol treatment. Mean time of treatment´s onset was 7 to 15 days. Conclusions: Intravenous drug addiction is a high probability hypothesis for a new way of Chagas, disease transmission, in which serology is not relevant in the diagnosis of HIV positive patients with neurological damage. Chagas´ disease reactivation is frequent and the high mortality was related to the delay in diagnosis and treatment onset.

Objetivos: Evaluar las vías de contagio, la reactivación y la evolución de la enfermedad de Chagas en pacientes con HIV. Material y métodos: Se incorporaron pacientes internados con SIDA y Chagas reactivo. Se evaluaron la epidemiología, la adicción a drogas, la reactivación de la enfermedad de Chagas y el órgano blanco más afectado, demora de inicio de tratamiento antiparasitario y la evolución posterior. Se realizaron serologías, estudios parasitológicos en sangre y líquido cefalorraquídeo, y exámenes complementarios cardiológicos y neurológicos. El estudio fue retrospectivo observacional y como método estadístico se emplearon las pruebas de Chi cuadrado y exacta de Fischer. Resultados: Se incluyeron en el estudio 8 pacientes con Chagas y SIDA. La vía de contagio de Chagas fue la vectorial en 5 pacientes (62,5%) y la drogadicción endovenosa como hipótesis de alta probabilidad en 3 pacientes (37,5%). De estos últimos, 2 presentaron serología negativa para Chagas con parasitemias positivas. El motivo de internación fue reactivación de la enfermedad de Chagas en 5pacientes (62,5%) y de estos, 4 sufrieron afección del sistema nervioso central y 1, miocarditis. De los 5 pacientes con agudización de la enfermedad de Chagas, 4 fallecieron a pesar del tratamiento con Benznidazol. La iniciación de tratamiento demoró entre 7 y 15 días. Conclusiones: La drogadicción endovenosa como nueva vía de contagio de la Enfermedad de Chagas se transforma en una hipótesis de alta probabilidad, donde la serología no es relevante para el diagnóstico en pacientes con HIV + y compromiso neurológico. La reactivación de la enfermedad de Chagas fue frecuente y la mortalidad se relacionó con la falta de diagnóstico y el tratamiento tardío.

The aim of the study was to compare the degree of cardiac compromise between two patient groups infected with Chagas' disease, A) those permanently residing in endemic areas and B) those sporadically exposed to the parasite and indirectly (non-vector) infected (transfusion , mother-to-child transmission, etc.). The results show that patients sporadically infected presented a lower prevalence of cardiopathy, and when they do present cardiopathy, there is a lower prevalence of dilation when compared to infected patients residing in endemic areas. Also, the role of the parasite, number of reinfections, immunopathogenic mechanisms, quality of life and occupation are considered in the study of disease progression in each patient.

El objetivo del trabajo fue comparar el grado de compromiso cardíaco entre dos poblaciones de chagásicos, con residencia permanente en área endémica y con exposición ocasional al parásito y con contagio por vía no vectorial (transfusional, connatal, y otras). Los resultados mostraron que los infectados ocasionales presentan menor presencia de cardiopatía; y cuando presentan cardiopatía, tienen menor prevalencia de miocardiopatía dilatada que los infectados con residencia permanente en el área endémica. También se plantea el rol del parásito, la cantidad de infecciones, los mecanismos inmuno-patogénicos desarrollados, la calidad de vida y el tipo de tareas laborales en la diferente evolución de estos pacientes.

The aim of the study was to compare the degree of cardiac compromise between two patient groups infected with Chagas' disease, A) those permanently residing in endemic areas and B) those sporadically exposed to the parasite and indirectly (non-vector) infected (transfusion , mother-to-child transmission, etc.). The results show that patients sporadically infected presented a lower prevalence of cardiopathy, and when they do present cardiopathy, there is a lower prevalence of dilation when compared to infected patients residing in endemic areas. Also, the role of the parasite, number of reinfections, immunopathogenic mechanisms, quality of life and occupation are considered in the study of disease progression in each patient.

El objetivo del trabajo fue comparar el grado de compromiso cardíaco entre dos poblaciones de chagásicos, con residencia permanente en área endémica y con exposición ocasional al parásito y con contagio por vía no vectorial (transfusional, connatal, y otras). Los resultados mostraron que los infectados ocasionales presentan menor presencia de cardiopatía; y cuando presentan cardiopatía, tienen menor prevalencia de miocardiopatía dilatada que los infectados con residencia permanente en el área endémica. También se plantea el rol del parásito, la cantidad de infecciones, los mecanismos inmuno-patogénicos desarrollados, la calidad de vida y el tipo de tareas laborales en la diferente evolución de estos pacientes.

O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar as causas mais freqüentes de emergências em pacientes com doença de Chagas. Entre janeiro de 1998 e janeiro de 1999, foram incluídos num estudo prospectivo, indivíduos com doença de Chagas que ingressaram no pronto socorro do Hospital Santojanni da Cidade de Buenos Aires. Para a análise estatística, utilizou-se o teste de X² com correção de Yates. De um total de 1.680 pacientes ingressados, houve 95 (6%) com sorologia reativa para doença de Chagas. Em 31 indivíduos, a causa de ingresso foi síncope, em 28 insuficiência cardíaca, em 18 eventos coronários agudos, em 5 acidentes vasculares cerebrais, em 3 hipertensão arterial com edema agudo de pulmão e em 2 encefalite aguda associada à SIDA. Como conclusão observou-se uma associação significativa entre: 1) presença de cardiopatia e hospitalização, 2) insuficiência cardíaca, síncope, encefalite aguda e mortalidade, 3) progresso de cardiopatia e mortalidade e 4) lugar de procedência e mortalidade.

The objective of this work was to evaluate the most frequent causes of emergency in patients with Chagas disease. Between January 1998-January 1999, individuals with Chagas disease inside the shock-room of Santojanni Hospital in Buenos Aires city, were included in a prospective study. For the statistical analysis, X² test with Yates correction has been used. From a total of 1.680 patients entered, there were 95 (6%) with reactive serology for Chagas disease. In 31 individuals the enter cause was syncope, in 28 cardiac insufficiency, in 18 acute coronary events, in 5 stroke, in 3 acute edema of hypertensive lung and in 2 acute encephalitis associated to AIDS. In conclusion, significant association has been observed between: 1) presence of cardiopathy and hospitalization, 2) cardiac insufficiency, syncope, acute encephalitis and mortality, 3) cardiopathy development and mortality and 4) origin place and mortality.

Se investigó si la serología reactiva para la enfermedad de Chagas es motivo de discriminación laboral en Argentina y se evaluó si está relacionada con la existencia de cardiopatía chagásica. Se incluyeron al azar 705 personas con serología reactiva para Chagas estudiadas durante el año 2000. A la totalidad de estos pacientes se les realizó una encuesta referida a su situación laboral y se comparó con datos de la población general del país, de acuerdo a las cifras del Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas y Censo del mismo año. De esta forma se agrupó a ambas poblaciones en población económicamente activa, ocupados, subocupados, desocupados y población económicamente inactiva. Al mismo tiempo se agrupó a los pacientes en Grupo I: serología positiva sin cardiopatía, Grupo II: cardiopatía sin dilatación y Grupo III: cardiopatía dilatada. Se observó que el porcentaje de chagásicos ocupados fue menor, 21 %, que en la población general del país y que las personas subocupadas y desocupadas fueron más numerosas, 29 %, en la población de personas con serología positiva. La falta de ocupación entre los pacientes chagásicos trae aparejados problemas psicosociales que influyen negativamente en su vida personal y familiar. En conclusión, se señala la necesidad de un abordaje interdisciplinario del paciente chagásico y de la población en riesgo siguiendo un esquema bio-psico-social para complementar y optimizar las medidas de control convencionales.

The present study was conducted to find out whether Chagas reactive serology is a cause for discrimination at the work place in Argentina, and if such discrimination was related to the existence of chagasic cardiopathy. 705 patients with Chagas reactive serology - randomly chosen - were studied during the year 2000. These patients were surveyed about their work situation and the results were compared to the work situation of the population in general, according to the figures gathered by the Statistical and Census National Institute, in the same year. Both groups were divided into: economically active, permanently employed, temporarily employed, unemployed and economically inactive people. Later, patients were classified as Group I (with positive serology but with no cardiopathy), Group II (with cardiopathy but no dilation), Group III (with dilated cardiopathy). It was observed that the proportion of permanently employed patients with Chagas disease was lower, 21 %, than that of the general population and that the proportion of both temporarily employed and unemployed people were considerably higher, 29 %, in patients with positive serology. Unemployment brings forth psychological and social problems with negative side effects in the personal lives of the infected people. In conclusion, it should be highlighted that an interdisciplinary approach aimed at patients with Chagas disease and population at risk of infection is needed. This approach should follow a biological, psychological and sociological scheme and in order to complement and optimize the conventional measures of control.