Heart Failure Surgery in Brazil

Transplante cardíaco (TC): a experiência do portador da doença de Chagas

“…Cardiac impairment, referred to as cardiomyopathy, is the major type of cardiac damage caused by the infection, due to its frequency and severity. In Brazil, heart transplantation (HT) is indicated as the first treatment option for the occurrence of heart failure in patients with the infection as a result of the success of this therapy in increasing the survival and quality of life of transplanted individuals (1)(2)(3) .…”

“…However, following successful experiences in Brazil, most of the heart care centers in the country began to perform transplantation in infected patients (1) . Studies have shown that, in those recipients, HT may present similar or, at times, better results than in heart failure caused by other pathologies (1)(2)(3) . A successful procedure, however, is dependent on special care to be provided to the patient, who must have specialized post-operative care, and will require specific and rigorous follow-up for life.…”

“…Since it is exclusively a Brazilian experience, the literature on HT for patients with Chagas disease is restricted to national studies showing the results and benefits attained after HT in regards to overcoming the cardiomyopathy symptoms and the specific use of immunosuppressants to prevent Trypanosomal reactivation (1)(2)(3) . Such studies suggest that successful HT means not only ensuring the survival of patients in the final phase of cardiomyopathy, but also enabling them to achieve satisfactory levels of physical capacity and quality of life.…”