Functional alterations of the autonomic nervous system in Chagas' heart disease

• Published in: São Paulo medical journal Vol. 113; no. 2; pp. 772 - 784
• Main Authors: Amorim, D D, Marin Neto, J A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Portuguese
• Published: Brazil Associação Paulista de Medicina - APM 01.04.1995; Associação Paulista de Medicina
• Subjects: Adult; Atropine - pharmacology; Autonomic Denervation; Autonomic nervous system; Autonomic Nervous System - physiopathology; Blood Pressure; Chagas Cardiomyopathy - physiopathology; Chagas' disease; Exercise; Heart Rate - drug effects; Hemodynamics; Humans; MEDICINE, GENERAL & INTERNAL; Metaraminol - pharmacology; Phenylephrine - pharmacology; Propranolol - pharmacology; Autonomic nervous system; Chagas' disease
• ISSN: 1516-3180; 1806-9460; 1516-3180
• DOI: 10.1590/S1516-31801995000200007

Several independent pathological studies in experimental models and in human beings showed conspicuous autonomic denervation in Chagas' disease. In spite of the inherently complex structural organization of the autonomic nervous system, the parasympathetic and sympathetic divisions are involved, as shown by many functional studies. Hence, Chagas' disease represents a unique model of impairment of the autonomic control of the heart, in absence of the nonspecific effects of cardiac failure. An improvement limitation of the studies thus far carried out is the lack of a better knowledge of the molecular biology characteristics of different strains of T. cruzi. This could explain some geographical discrepancies found in the clinical behaviour of Chagas' disease, and contribute to a better understanding of its pathophysiology.