Delayed cardiac conduction disease in a young adult following childhood Chagas infection.
N Farrand, D McGuone, P Cuddihy et al.
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Case in brief
A Bolivian man in his 30s presented to the emergency department with non-exertional chest pain and intermittent second-degree atrioventricular block. His history included untreated childhood Trypanosoma cruzi infection and a family history of Chagas heart disease, leading to the suspicion of late cardiac manifestations. After excluding structural and ischaemic causes, antiparasitic therapy was initiated, and pacemaker implantation was deferred due to the absence of symptoms.
Diagnostic / clinical pearl
Chagas heart disease can manifest decades after initial infection, presenting with conduction abnormalities that may be mistaken for other causes.
Why it matters
Early recognition of Chagas heart disease in patients with a relevant history is crucial for timely management and prevention of severe complications.