(aka American Trypanosomiasis)
Epidemiology
- One of the most common causes of heart disease in Central/ South America
- May affect up to 20% of the population in rural areas
Physiology
- Trypanosoma Cruzi infection
- Myocarditis occurs years after the initial infection (initial infection is symptomatic in only a minority of patients but >33% of patients have chronic myocardial damage)
Diagnosis
- Echo: may reveal unique pattern of hypokinesis of posterior LV wall and rela-tively pre-served septal motion
Clinical
- CHF (right-sided>left-sided)
- RBBB/ LAHB (may progress to complete AV block)
- Arrhythmias are partic-ularly common (associated with exertion)
Treatment
- xxx
References
- xxx