Cardiovascular complications in patients with megaesophagus due to Chagas disease undergoing the Serra-Dَria operation

The Serra-Dَria procedure has been used in the treatment of advanced or relapsed megaesophagus due to Chagas disease. Little is known, however, about cardiovascular complications following this procedure. The purpose of this study was to settle independent predictors of cardiovascular complications following the Serra-Dَria procedure in patients with megaesophagus secondary to chronic Chagas disease. A total of 76 patients who underwent the Serra-Dَria operation for Chagas disease megaesophagus from 1998 to 2010 were included. A multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of cardiovascular complications. Mean age was 61 ± 10 years; 55% were male. Advanced megaesophagus (grades III/IV) were found in 65 (86%) of patients. Twenty-two (29%) patients had one comorbidity, and five (7%) three co-morbidities before operation. Two (3%) patients died following the operation. Twenty-nine (38%) patients presented cardiovascular complication following the Serra-Dَria procedure; 15 (44%) were mild, 7 (21%) moderate, and 12 (35%) severe. Age > 61 years was the only independent predictor of cardiovascular complication following Serra-Dَria procedure. In patients with megaesophagus secondary to chronic Chagas disease, the Serra-Dَria procedure is associated with a low mortality rate and a high frequency of cardiac complication.