This registry confirms that ICD therapy provides protection by effectively terminating life-threatening arrhythmias in patients with Chagas' disease. This is especially so when patients receive the device for secondary prevention.

Despite the differences in terms of pathologies between the ICD-LABOR (Latin American bioelectronic ongoing registry) and randomized ICD trials, a parallel evolution in all cause mortality and cardiac mortality was observed. Independent risk factors for mortality included age >70 years, male gender, NYHA III/IV, and ejection fraction <0.30. The etiology of heart disease (Chagas vs Coronary Disease) was not found to be a risk factor.

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Antecedentes: Los pacientes con enfermedad de Chagas pueden desarrollar cardiomiopatía crónica (CChC); los aneurismas ventriculares son característicos de esta condición. Objetivo: Analizar una población de pacientes con CChC con aneurismas ventriculares, buscando asociaciones entre las variables sexo, edad, síntomas, fracción de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo (FEVI), tamaño de los aneurismas y presencia de arritmias ventriculares. Método: Los pacientes fueron valorados con historia clínica, electrocardiografía (ECG), radiología, ecocardiografía y Holter. Resultados: De 627 pacientes con CChC, 60 (9.6%) presentaron aneurismas (60%). Había una relación significativa entre edad mayor de 50 años y FEVI normal. El valor predictivo negativo de clase funcional I y ECG sin anomalías del QRS para detectar FEVI < 50% o taquicardia ventricular fue del 47.4%. No hubo relación significativa entre anomalías del QRS con FEVI < 50% ni taquicardia ventricular. Los aneurismas grandes estaban asociados a FEVI < 50%, pero no fueron predictores de taquicardia ventricular. No hubo asociación significativa entre volúmenes de fin de diástole del ventrículo izquierdo y FEVI o taquicardia ventricular; los pacientes en fase B1-2 no presentaron mayor riesgo de taquicardia ventricular que los de fase C-D. Conclusiones: En los pacientes con CChC se recomienda un estudio integral con ecocardiografía y Holter; el valor predictivo negativo de la clínica y del electrocardiograma es muy reducido.

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Background Our main objective was to present a multidisciplinary review on the epidemiology of sudden cardiac death (SCD) and the tools that could be used to identify malignant ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) and to perform risk stratification. In addition, indications and contraindications for the use of implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in general and in special populations including the elderly and patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are also given. Methods An expert group from the Inter American Society of Cardiology (IASC), through their HF Council (CIFACAH) and Electrocardiology Council (ElectroSIAC), together with the Latin American Heart Rhythm Society (LAHRS), reviewed and discussed the literature regarding the appropriate use of an ICD in people with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFpEF). Indications and contraindications for the use of ICD are presented in this multidisciplinary review. Results Numerous clinical studies have demonstrated the usefulness of ICD in both primary and secondary prevention of SCD in HFpEF. There are currently precise indications and contraindications for the use of these devices. Conclusions In some Latin American countries, a low rate of implantation is correlated with low incomes, but this is not the case for all Latin America. Determinants of the low rates of ICD implantation in many Latin American countries are still a matter of research. VA remains one of the most common causes of cardiovascular death associated with HFrEF and different tools are available for stratifying the risk of SCD in this population.

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Clinical impact of the correction of the value of the left ventricular ejection fraction in patients with mitral valve regurgitation Efectos clínicos de la corrección del valor de la fracción de expulsión del ventrículo izquierdo en pacientes con insuficiencia valvular mitral