The resting electrocardiogram of t. cruzi-infected rats

Authors

  • Reinaldo B. Bestetti USP; Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto; Departamento de Patologia
  • Edson G. Soares USP; Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto; Departamento de Patologia
  • Vicente N. Sales-Neto Universidade Federal do Ceará; Faculdade de Medicina; Departamento de Patologia
  • Rosaly Corrêa de Araújo Faculdade de Medicina do Triângulo Mineiro; Departamento de Patologia
  • J. Samuel M. Oliveira USP; Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto; Departamento de Patologia

Keywords:

Chagas' cardiomyopathy, Trypanosomiasis, South American, Electrocardiography

Abstract

A total of 125 rats were infected with the Colômbia strain of T. cruzi (2000 parasites/g) shortly after weaning. Of these, 58 survived the acute phase and were used in the present experiment. Twenty eight similar but not infected rats served as controls. All rats were submitted to the resting ECG When they were 6 months old. Classic and 3 precordial leads were employed in order to record the ECG as completely as possible. Electrocardiographic changes similar to those found in human chronic Chagas' heart disease and not previously described in this model were found in 44% of the T. cruzi-infected rats: left axis deviation (22%), right axis deviation (7%), lengthened and bizarre QRS complex (14%) and abnormal J point elevation (3%). On the basis of these results, we believe that the resting ECG constitutes a valuable tool for studying experimental chronic Chagas' heart disease in rats.

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Published

1987-08-01

Issue

Vol. 29 No. 4 (1987)

Section

Original Articles

How to Cite

Bestetti, R. B., Soares, E. G., Sales-Neto, V. N., Araújo, R. C. de, & Oliveira, J. S. M. (1987). The resting electrocardiogram of t. cruzi-infected rats . Revista Do Instituto De Medicina Tropical De São Paulo, 29(4), 224-229. https://revistas.usp.br/rimtsp/article/view/28523