Determinants of minute ventilation-carbon dioxide production relationship in Chagas cardiomyopathy

INTRODUCTION: The minute ventilation-carbon dioxide production relationship (VE/VCO(2) slope) is among the main prognostic factors of Chagas cardiomyopathy whose determinants remain unknown. METHODS: Seventy-eight patients with Chagas cardiomyopathy were evaluated using clinical assessment, cardiopulmonary exercise test, echocardiography, and International Physical Activity Questionnaire. RESULTS: Age, functional class, International Physical Activity Questionnaire score, and dilated cardiomyopathy with systolic dysfunction were independent determinants of VE/VCO(2) slope, and these variables explained 63% of its variance. CONCLUSIONS: The VE/VCO(2) slope was related to age, functional class, physical activity level, and dilated cardiomyopathy with systolic dysfunction in patients with Chagas cardiomyopathy.