CHRONIC CHAGASIC CARDIOMYOPATHY: CLINICAL AND SEROLOGIC EVOLUTION WITH AND WITHOUT BENZNIDAZOLE IN LONG TERM FOLLOW-UP

VIOTTI R; VIGLIANO C; LOCOCO B; ARMENTI A; LAPUENTE A

Buenos Aires

Congreso; VI Reunión de la International Society for Heart Research Sección Latinoamericana; 1999

International Society for Heart Research Sección Latinoamericana

Treatment for chronic chagasic cardiomyopathy (CCC) was not recommented since 1980 because the lack of evidences to support its therapeutic efficacy. However, were not performed cohort studies to evaluate the effects of benznidazole in long-term follow-up. Population: 163 benznidazole-treated(TP) and 123 untreated patients(UTP) with follow-up of over 8 years and three positive complete serologies (3+) on admission were included. Patients with one or two positive test were excluded. Three serologic test were repeated at the end of the study grouping them in 3+, one negative (1 -), two negative (2-) and three negative test (3 -). To determine any possible differences in the evolution, new electrocardiographic changes (NEC), changes of´clinical groups (CCGr) and serologic titers were used. Results. 3+ :77/163 TP (47%) vs.94/123 UTP (76%), p<0.00001. 1-: 36/163 TP (22%) vs. 16/123 UTP (13%), p< 0.05.2 -: 19/163 TP(12%) vs. 5/123 UTP(4%), p<0.02. 3 -: 31/163 (19%) vs. 8/123(6%), p< 0.002. NEC: 7/122 TP(6%) vs. 27/135 UTP(20%), p<0.001. CCGr: 8/122TP(6%) vs. 20/135 UTP(15%), p< 0.03. Not one patient with 3 ?shows NEC. The patients with non diagnostic test (2 or 3 negative reactions considered) were found in: 13/123 UTP (10%) and 50/163 TP (30%) (p<0.00005).  Conclusions: It is possible to obtain the parasitologic cure or to improve the clinic and serologic evolution with etiological treatment in CCC.