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(Stroke. 2005;36:2015.)
© 2005 American Heart Association, Inc.

Research Reports

Chagas Disease Is an Independent Risk Factor for Stroke

Baseline Characteristics of a Chagas Disease Cohort

Jamary Oliveira-Filho, MD, PhD; Leila C. Viana; Rodrigo M. Vieira-de-Melo; Frederico Faiçal, MD; Jorge A. Torreão, MD; Flávio A.G.A. Villar, MD Francisco J.F.B. Reis, MD

From the Cardiomyopathy Clinic, Hospital Universitário Professor Edgard Santos, Federal University of Bahia, Brazil.

Correspondence to Jamary Oliveira-Filho, MD, PhD, Rua Prof. Sabino Silva, 282, Apartment 701, Jd. Apipema, Salvador, BA 40155-250, Brazil. E-mail jamaryof{at}ufba.br

Background and Purpose— Chagas disease (CD) is frequently associated with cardioembolic stroke in South America. Our objective was to identify the predictors of stroke in a region where CD is endemic.

Methods— We screened 305 consecutive cardiopathy patients. Significant predictors of stroke in univariable analyses were included in a multivariable model.

Results— Stroke was more frequent in CD (15.0%) compared with other cardiopathies (6.3%; P=0.015). Other predictors of stroke in univariable analyses were previous diabetes or cardioversion and use of amiodarone, antiplatelet agents, and warfarin. In multivariable analysis, remaining predictors of stroke were CD (odds ratio [OR], 1.09; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.17), cardioversion (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.13), and diabetes (OR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.24).

Conclusions— In conclusion, CD is a risk factor for stroke, independent of systolic dysfunction or presence of cardiac arrhythmias.

Key Words: cerebrovascular disorders • stroke • trypanosomiasis