
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions β written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Chagas disease surgery
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Surgery is not indicated in the treatment of Chagas disease. Chagas disease is not a contraindication for heart transplantation.
Surgery
Surgery
Heart transplantation is not considered a contraindication for heart transplantation. Despite the risk of T cruzi reactivation after transplantation and immunosuppression, universal βprophylacticβ antitrypanosomal therapy is not recommended. Quantitative T cruzi PCR provides sufficient sensitivity to detect a reactivation before complications such as allograft dysfunction develop. Benznidazole has been the drug of choice for the treatment of T cruzi reactivations. Because treatment does not result in a cure of chronic T cruzi infection, patients remain vulnerable to new episodes of reactivation, and lifelong T cruzi monitoring is required. Immunosuppression after heart transplantation should be considered for patients with chagas cardiomyopathy. Use of lower immunosuppressive regimens has demonstrated fewer reactivations and improved outcomes, with no increase in allograph rejection in patients with CCC[1]
References
References
- β Kransdorf EP, Czer LS, Luthringer DJ, Patel JK, Montgomery SP, Velleca A; et al. (2013). “Heart transplantation for Chagas cardiomyopathy in the United States”. Am J Transplant. 13 (12): 3262β8. doi:10.1111/ajt.12507. PMIDΒ 24165397.
