Utility of Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices in Patients with Chagas Disease and Systolic Heart Failure

Abstract

Chagas disease (CD) is the principal cause of congestive heart failure (CHF) in areas where the disease is endemic and migration has increased the likelihood of these diseases being the probable cause of CHF in other countries of the world. Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is the most common cause of death in CD (55-65%). Implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) is useful in the secondary prevention of SCD, but there is less information regarding primary prevention. The evidence supporting the use of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in CHF of chagasic etiology is poor; however, one should apply current guidelines regarding the insertion of these devices in patients with Chagas disease and CHF.