This paper analyzes 4,758 serological-electrocardiographic correlations obtained at random in a rural population from 17 countries of the far South of Rio Grande do Sul (Brasil). Sera were examined by the complement fixation test (CFT) for Chagas' disease and the electrocardiogram (ECG) tracings were interpreted according to the criteria ofthe American Heart Association. Among 803 people with a positive CFT, 330 had an altered ECG (41.1%), among 3,955 with a negative CFT the ECG were altered in 1,287 (32.5%). The 8.5% gradient between positive and negative results, was significant atp< 0,001 level. The ECG abnormalities more frequently associated with seropositivity were those of ten found in Chagas' cadiopathy (right branch block, left anterior branch hemiblock, ventricular premature beats, ST and T abnormalities and areas of necrosis and/or fibrosis). The authors conclude that in Rio Grande do Sul (Brasil) Chagas'disease is a very important etiologic factor of myocardial injury among people living in endemic areas.
Chagas' disease; Serology; ECG; Rural areas; Rio Grande do Sul; Brasil