Cardiovascular magnetic resonance vasodilator perfusion in baseline studies of patients with untreated Chagas disease

Motivation: We present the initial cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) characterization of patients with untreated Chagas disease. The CMR exams provided comprehensive phenotyping, including vasodilator quantitative perfusion results. These data represent the baseline imaging prior to anti-parasitic therapy with serial vasodilator CMR perfusion planned as part of a larger study. Goal(s): We aim to better characterize Chagas cardiac disease at an earlier stage using CMR. Approach: Patients with untreated confirmed Chagas disease were imaged by vasodilator CMR. Results: Baseline CMR scans of 22 patients revealed a high percentage of CMR abnormalities, including impaired left ventricular systolic function, vasodilator perfusion abnormalities, and abnormal late gadolinium enhancement. Impact: Cardiovascular pathology is the leading cause of death in patients with Chagas disease. Early diagnosis of cardiac involvement is challenging. CMR findings may help to better understand and identify cardiovascular manifestations, and the use of CMR quantitative perfusion is novel.