Prospective study of ventricular function and myocardial deformation related to survival in acute Chagas disease: an experimental animal model

Chagas disease (CD) has been changing from an endemic Latino-American disease to a condition found outside endemic regions, due to migratory movements. Although often subclinical, its acute phase can be lethal. This study aimed to assess survival during the acute phase of CD and its relationship with ventricular function in an experimental model. To this end, 30 Syrian hamsters were inoculated with Trypanosoma cruzi (IG) and other 15 animals received saline solution (CG). Groups were monitored daily and submitted to echocardiography in two moments: before the challenge and 15 days post-infection. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and global longitudinal myocardial strain (GLS) of the LV were measured. The IG was divided into groups of animals with and without clinical signs of disease. ANOVA for mixed models was used to compare ventricular function parameters. Survival analysis was studied using Kaplan-Meier curves and the log-rank test. The follow-up lasted 60 days. LVEF in IG was reduced through time (53.80 to 43.55%) compared to CG (57.86 to 59.73%) (p=0.002). There was also a reduction of GLS (−18.97% to −12.44%) in the IG compared to CG (p=0.012). Twelve animals from IG died compared to one animal from CG. Eleven out of the 12 animals from the IG group died before presenting with clinical signs of infection. Survival was reduced in the IG compared to CG over time (p=0.02). The reduced survival during the acute phase of this experimental model of Chagas disease was related to the significant reduction of LV function. The mortality rate in the IG was higher in the group presenting with clinical signs of infection.