Abstract Body (Do not enter title and authors here): Introduction
Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) reduces mortality in patients with moderate to severe heart failure (HF) and reduced ejection fraction. However, outcomes associated with CRT in CCC patients are still controversial. We conducted a meta-analysis to quantify total mortality in patients with chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy compared to HF of other etiologies (Non-Chagas).
Objectives
To perform a meta-analysis of studies to measure all-cause mortality in CCC patients compared to patients of other etiologies (Non-Chagas) when undergoing CRT.
Methods
A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, Scielo for English, Portuguese, and Spanish comparing all-cause mortality in patients undergoing CRT in CCC and other etiologies (Non-Chagas). The Non-Chagas group included patients with HF of ischemic, dilated, or idiopathic etiology. Statistical analysis was performed in RevMan 5.18. Heterogeneity was assessed by I2 statistics.
Results
577 patients from 3 studies were included, with 170 patients having Chronic Chagas Cardiomyopathy. Follow-up time ranged from 12 to 41 months. Mean age was 61.7 +/- 11.6 years and 61.5% were male. Mean ejection fraction across studies was 25.8% +/- 6.4.
All-cause mortality (OR: 2.41; 95% CI: 1.65-3.53; p < 0.00001, I2 = 0%) was significantly higher in patients with Chronic Chagas Cardiomyopathy compared to the Non-Chagas group.
Conclusion
Patients with CCC had higher all-cause mortality compared to Non-Chagas patients when undergoing CRT. These results highlight the importance of prospective controlled studies comparing Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy with other treatments to define the optimal therapy for patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction due to Chagas disease.