Chronic Chagas Cardiomyopathy at a Peruvian National Referral Hospital: A Case Series

Serrano Carmen K.A.; Davila-Flores D.; Oliver Rengifo P.G. · Archivos Peruanos de Cardiologia y Cirugia Cardiovascular (2026) · DOI: 10.47487/apcyccv.v7i3.651

Resumen

Objectives: To describe the cardiovascular manifestations and clinical course of patients with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy at a Peruvian national hospital. Materials and methods: Descriptive retrospective case series (2021-2025). Nine patients with serologically confirmed Trypanosoma cruzi infection were assessed by electrocardiography, echocardiography, and/or 24-hour Holter monitoring; a predominant cardiovascular phenotype was assigned to each. Results: The mean age was 50.1 ± 6.8 years; 55.6% were male, and 66.7% came from the Peruvian Amazon. The heart failure phenotype predominated (55.6%), with ejection fractions of 15-39%, followed by ventricular arrhythmias (22.2%) and conduction disorders (22.2%). Two patients (22.2%) received permanent pacemakers, one (11.1%) received an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, and two (22.2%) died. Conclusions: The three classic phenotypes coexisted, with advanced disease at diagnosis. Chagas disease should be considered cases of nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy or conduction disorders.

Instituciones: Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia