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Advanced Heart Failure Secondary to Chagas Cardiomyopathy: A Case of Successful Left Ventricular Assist Device Placement

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Chagas cardiomyopathy is a rare but critical cause of nonischemic heart failure, particularly in patients from endemic regions. We present a 48-year-old Spanish-speaking male from Guatemala with hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF, 10%) due to Chagas disease. Despite guideline-directed medical therapy and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) placement, he developed cardiogenic shock. Right heart catheterization confirmed severely reduced cardiac output and elevated wedge pressure. He was ineligible for heart transplantation due to limited life expectancy but had no contraindications to left ventricular assist device (LVAD) placement. Following infectious disease clearance and prophylaxis for Trypanosoma cruzi, he successfully underwent LVAD implantation. At one-month follow-up, he showed clinical stability, improved symptoms, and adherence to medical therapy. Our case discusses the role of LVAD as a life-extending option in Chagas cardiomyopathy for non-transplant candidates, emphasizing the importance of multidisciplinary care in managing both cardiac and infectious components.

Source: Cureus

DOI: 10.7759/cureus.85141

Authors: Sonal Kumar, Carlos Rincon-Vazquez, Patricia Ward, Taylor E Collignon, Taisiya Tumarinson

Institutions: Ross University School of Medicine, St. George's University, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Florida

Language: English

Topic: Mechanical Circulatory Support Devices

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W4410928700