18 min

372. Case Report: Chronic Chagas Cardiomyopathy with Recurrent Ventricular Tachyarrhythmia – Georgetown University Cardionerds: A Cardiology Podcast

    • Medicine

CardioNerds (Dr. Jessie Holtzman, Chair for the CardioNerds Women’s Heart Disease Committee, and Dr. Naima Maqsood, Chair for the CardioNerds Electrophysiology Committee) join Dr. Ritika Gadodia, Dr. Namratha Meda, and Dr. Tsion Aberra from the Medstar Washington Hospital Center/Georgetown University Program for the National Cherry Blossom Festival. They discuss involving a patient with Chagas cardiomyopathy. Dr. Rachel Marcus provides the Expert CardioNerd Perspectives & Review segment for this episode. Episode audio was edited by Dr. Diane Masket.







A 79-year-old male with a history of cardiomyopathy presented with recurrent ventricular tachycardia (VT) post-CRT-D placement. On arrival, the patient was in cardiogenic shock. Initial treatment with amiodarone and milrinone failed, necessitating the addition of mexiletine. Imaging was suggestive of a left ventricular ejection fraction of 20-25% with severe global hypokinesis. Prior coronary angiogram had shown nonobstructive coronary artery disease. Further non-ischemic cardiomyopathy evaluation was unrevealing. Given his El Salvadorian origins, Chagas serology results revealed Chronic Chagas Cardiomyopathy (CCM) confirmed by CDC testing. This case underscores the importance of suspecting CCM in patients with risk factors. An early diagnosis of CCM, can prevent catastrophic events (heart blocks, ventricular arrhythmias, thromboembolic events).







In summary, this case takes the learner through the journey of a patient with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy and emphasizes the importance of approaching it with a wide range of differentials.















US Cardiology Review is now the official journal of CardioNerds! Submit your manuscript here.



















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Case Media



































Pearls - Chronic Chagas Cardiomyopathy with Recurrent Ventricular Tachyarrhythmia

CardioNerds (Dr. Jessie Holtzman, Chair for the CardioNerds Women’s Heart Disease Committee, and Dr. Naima Maqsood, Chair for the CardioNerds Electrophysiology Committee) join Dr. Ritika Gadodia, Dr. Namratha Meda, and Dr. Tsion Aberra from the Medstar Washington Hospital Center/Georgetown University Program for the National Cherry Blossom Festival. They discuss involving a patient with Chagas cardiomyopathy. Dr. Rachel Marcus provides the Expert CardioNerd Perspectives & Review segment for this episode. Episode audio was edited by Dr. Diane Masket.







A 79-year-old male with a history of cardiomyopathy presented with recurrent ventricular tachycardia (VT) post-CRT-D placement. On arrival, the patient was in cardiogenic shock. Initial treatment with amiodarone and milrinone failed, necessitating the addition of mexiletine. Imaging was suggestive of a left ventricular ejection fraction of 20-25% with severe global hypokinesis. Prior coronary angiogram had shown nonobstructive coronary artery disease. Further non-ischemic cardiomyopathy evaluation was unrevealing. Given his El Salvadorian origins, Chagas serology results revealed Chronic Chagas Cardiomyopathy (CCM) confirmed by CDC testing. This case underscores the importance of suspecting CCM in patients with risk factors. An early diagnosis of CCM, can prevent catastrophic events (heart blocks, ventricular arrhythmias, thromboembolic events).







In summary, this case takes the learner through the journey of a patient with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy and emphasizes the importance of approaching it with a wide range of differentials.















US Cardiology Review is now the official journal of CardioNerds! Submit your manuscript here.



















CardioNerds Case Reports PageCardioNerds Episode PageCardioNerds AcademyCardionerds Healy Honor Roll











CardioNerds Journal ClubSubscribe to The Heartbeat Newsletter!Check out CardioNerds SWAG!Become a CardioNerds Patron!











Case Media



































Pearls - Chronic Chagas Cardiomyopathy with Recurrent Ventricular Tachyarrhythmia

18 min