Function of the Left Atrium in the Chagas’ Cardiomyopathy

Results The age was 48±13 years old and 69% were men. Most of patients (88%) were in functional classes I and II, under a conventional treatment for cardiac insufficiency. The fraction of ejection of the left ventricle was 39±13%. The indicators of diastolic function associate to those of systolic function and the functional class. The carriers of pseudonormal or restrictive pattern of diastolic dysfunction presented a larger diameter of the left atrium, lower flow velocities in the left atrial appendix and a longer duration of the atrial reverse. There was no difference among the patients with normal pattern and abnormal diastolic relaxation in relation to the control group.