Electrophysiologic study in chronic Chagas' heart disease

• Main Authors: Maurício Scanavacca, Eduardo Sosa
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Associação Paulista de Medicina
• Series: São Paulo Medical Journal
• Subjects: Electrophysiologic study; Cardiac arrhythmias; Chagas' heart disease
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1516-31801995000200016&lng=en&tlng=en

Cardiac arrhythmias are common in chagasic patients. Electrophysiologic study is an invasive procedure for the investigation of sinus node function, atrioventricular node conduction and intraventricular (His-Purkinje) conduction and the mechanism of tachycardias. It is useful in elucidating syncope, dizziness and tachycardiac palpitations that remain unexplained by non-invasive diagnostic methods. It is fundamental in directing non-pharmacological therapy, especially in "sudden death" survivors. Chagasic patients may benefit from electrophysiologic study after a critical clinical evaluation.