Evaluation of the six-minute walk test in patients with chronic heart failure associated with Chagas' disease and systemic arterial hypertension

Kelly Cristina Colaço Dourado,José Antônio Cordeiro,Augusto Cardinalli-Neto,Reinaldo Bulgarelli Bestetti

doi:10.1590/s0037-86822010000400014

Kelly Cristina Colaço Dourado, José Antônio Cordeiro + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s0037-86822010000400014

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Abstract

To evaluate physical capacity as determined by the six-minute walk test (6MWT) in patients with chronic heart failure due to Chagas' disease associated with systemic arterial hypertension (Chagas-SAH). A total of 98 patients routinely followed at the Cardiomyopathy Outpatient Service were recruited. Of these, 60 (61%) were diagnosed with Chagas disease and 38 (39%) with Chagas-SAH. The distance walked during 6 min was 357.9 +/-98 m for Chagas-SAH patients and 395.8 +/- 121m for Chagas cardiomyopathy patients (p >0.05). In patients with Chagas-SAH, a negative correlation occurred between the 6MWT and the total score of the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (r= -0.51; p=0.001). No other correlations were determined between 6MWT values and continuous variables in patients with Chagas-SAH. The results of the 6MWT in Chagas-SAH patients are similar to those verified in Chagas cardiomyopathy patients with chronic heart failure. Coexistence of SAH does not seem to affect the functional capacity of Chagas cardiomyopathy patients with chronic heart failure.

Highlights

To evaluate physical capacity as determined by the six-minute walk test (6MWT) in patients with chronic heart failure due to Chagas’ disease associated with systemic arterial hypertension (Chagas-SAH)
Initial infection occurs in early childhood in the majority of cases and about 30% of patients will develop Chagas’ cardiomyopathy up to 20 years later[3]
Systemic arterial hypertension can affect about 30% of inhabitants in areas where Chagas’ disease is endemic[11] and it may compromise about 33% of Chagas’ disease patients[12]

Summary

Introduction

To evaluate physical capacity as determined by the six-minute walk test (6MWT) in patients with chronic heart failure due to Chagas’ disease associated with systemic arterial hypertension (Chagas-SAH). In patients with Chagas-SAH, a negative correlation occurred between the 6MWT and the total score of the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (r= -0.51; p=0.001). No other correlations were determined between 6MWT values and continuous variables in patients with Chagas-SAH. Conclusions: The results of the 6MWT in Chagas-SAH patients are similar to those verified in Chagas cardiomyopathy patients with chronic heart failure. Coexistence of SAH does not seem to affect the functional capacity of Chagas cardiomyopathy patients with chronic heart failure. Chronic heart failure can affect 8% of patients with both conditions[12]

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