Chagas Cardiomyopathy

Indeterminate Chagas disease may include subclinical cardiac involvement rather than absence of myocardial disease. Chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy involves persistent myocardial inflammation and fibrosis that can cause heart failure, arrhythmias, ventricular dysfunction, and sudden cardiac death. Between 20% and 30% of infected people develop chronic disease manifestations. Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and remains a major neglected tropical disease.