Electrocardiographic and echocardiographic features of trypanosomiasis in dogs inoculated with North American Trypanosoma cruzi isolates.

Purebred Beagles were inoculated with Trypanosoma cruzi isolates from a North American opossum or armadillo (Tc-W), and dog (Tc-D). Although Tc-D established infection in dogs, the dogs did not develop cardiac abnormalities. Dogs inoculated with Tc-W developed acute myocarditis associated with increases in P-R interval, atrioventricular block, depression of R wave amplitude and shifts in mean electrical axis. Echocardiograms were normal during this stage. Three Tc-W-inoculated dogs died during the acute stage. Following the acute stage, 5 of 8 Tc-W-inoculated dogs entered an indeterminate stage in which ECG changes were minor and echocardiograms were normal. Progression to the chronic stage in 5 of the 8 Tc-W-inoculated dogs was indicated by development of ventricular-based arrhythmias, mainly ventricular premature contractions, between postinoculation days 60 and 170. In some dogs, ventricular premature contractions were multifocal. Electrocardiographic abnormalities progressively degenerated to various forms of ventricular tachycardia. Worsening ECG coincided with loss of left ventricular function as measured by echocardiography. Mean percent ejection fraction and percentage of fractional shortening decreased to 63% and 52% of control values, respectively. The left ventricular free wall (LVFW) thickness decreased and % septal: % LVFW thickening ratio increased, indicating a relative preservation of septal wall motion and LVFW hypokinesis.