Dysautonomia and ventricular dysfunction in the indeterminate form of Chagas disease

Background The associations between autonomic function and biventricular function in patients with the indeterminate form of Chagas disease remains to be elucidated. Methods In 42 asymptomatic patients and 19 healthy volunteers, the autonomic function was assessed by time domain indices of heart rate variability (HRV), analyzed for 24 h; the right ventricular function was assessed by fraction area change, right ventricle shortening, and systolic excursion of the tricuspid valve; and the left ventricular function was assessed by ejection fraction and transmitral flow velocities. Data were expressed as mean ± SD or medians (including the lower quartile and upper quartile). Groups were compared by Studentʹs t or Mann-Whitney U test. Autonomic and ventricular function were correlated by Pearsonʹs or Spearmanʹs correlation coefficient. The level of significance was 5%. Results Right and left ventricular systolic function indexes were comparable between groups. Transmitral flow velocities were decreased in the Chagas disease group (p < 0.05). The patients presented impaired HRV as indicated by the values of SDNN-day (80 (64–99) ms vs. 98 (78–127) ms; p = 0.045), SDNNI-24 h (54 (43–71) vs. 65 (54–105) ms; p = 0.027), SDNNI-day (49 (42–64) vs. 67 (48–76) ms; p = 0.045), pNN50-day (2.2 (0.7–5)% vs. 10 (3–11)%; p = 0.033); and pNN50-24 h (3 (1–7)% vs. 12 (8–19)%; p = 0.013). There were no correlations between the left ventricular diastolic indices and autonomic dysfunctional indices (p > 0.05). Conclusion Patients with the indeterminate form of Chagas disease have both dysautonomia and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. However, the right ventricular function is preserved. Importantly, ventricular diastolic dysfunction and dysautonomia are independent phenomena.