Reduced Functional Capacity in Early-Stage Chagas Cardiomyopathy: unveiling the Hidden Impact

Introduction: Chagas cardiomyopathy (CC) may reduce cardiac hemodynamic performance, leading to decreased functional capacity (FC). As CC is a silent and progressive disease in its early stages, identifying its impact on functionality and quality of life is crucial for safe rehabilitation program inclusion. Objective: To assess the FC of individuals with CC stages B1/B2 during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). Methods: Fourteen CC patients (mean age: 64.7 ± 11.7 years, 57% male) and 14 age- and sex-matched controls underwent CPET on a cycle ergometer until exhaustion. Results: The CC group showed significantly lower absolute VO₂ (0.6±0.2 vs. 1.0±0.2 mL/min) and relative VO₂ (8.0±1.7 vs. 11.0±2.2 mL/kg/min) at the anaerobic threshold. At peak CPET, absolute VO₂, relative VO₂, and workload were also lower in the CC group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Individuals with CC stages B1/B2 exhibit impaired FC during CPET.