Chagas Disease-induced Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Sudden Cardiac Arrest

Sudden cardiac arrest during sports.

Exercise can trigger an acute cardiac event which may precipitate sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). On the other hand, exercise is important for physical fitness and prevention of cardiovascular disease, and the medical community should therefore inform the general public of the health benefits of sports and exercise. At the same time, the public are exposed to alarmist mass media coverage of athlet...

Sudden death in Chagas' disease.

Sudden death is one of the most expressive phenomena of the natural history of Chagas' disease, affecting individuals in the most productive phases of their lives. In general, considering all evolutionary stages of the disease, we can say that sudden death is the major cause of death in this disease. It is worth noting that in 1912 the Brazilian Carlos Ribeiro Justiniano Chagas (1), the genial ...

The Silent Giant- Kawasaki Disease Presenting with Sudden Cardiac Arrest

A previously healthy 9 month old boy suffered an acute cardiac arrest at home after a few hours of irritability and inconsolability. His mother called 911 and initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). She continued CPR for 8-10 minutes until paramedics arrived. His initial rhythm was asystole. An intraosseous line was placed and 5 doses of epinephrine administered. Simultaneously, his trac...

Evaluation of Chagas heart disease by cardiac magnetic resonance after an aborted sudden cardiac death event

Background Chagas’ disease (CD) is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi leading to a lifelong infection, which is still recognized as one of the world’s most neglected tropical diseases. After an acute phase, which is commonly unapparent, 30-40% of the patients develop the chronic form and chronic Chagas ‘cardiomyopathy (CCC), its most serious complication, has three main clinical...