Patients with Chagas Disease and Cardiac Arrest Treated at the Emergency Department of a Reference Hospital in Brazil

Abstract

People with Chagas disease are at a higher risk of death due to cardiac arrest (CA). Considering that Chagas disease remains a serious health problem in Latin America, studies in this regard are still needed. The aim of this study was to present 2 patients with Chagas that developed CA and were treated at the emergency department of a reference hospital in Brazil (Sao Paulo city). Case one: Male (73 years old and Caucasian) with a history of systemic arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, liver cirrhosis, and Chagas disease associated with megacolon and megaesophagus. After cardiac collapse and 30 minutes of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), unfortunately the patient died. Case two: A female patient (64 years old and Caucasian), with a history of systemic arterial hypertension, obesity, and Chagas disease. After 23 days of hospitalization, pharmacological therapy, and implantation of a cardioverter defibrillator, the patient was discharged. People with Chagas disease are at a higher risk of CA. The researchers believe that a prompt and efficient treatment (advanced life support) allied with educational programs on CA recognition targeted at health professionals and caregivers (basic life support knowledge) could improve the prognoses of these patients.