Assessment of quality of life in patients with chronic heart failure secondary to Chagas' cardiomyopathy.

Quality of Life was assessed by the Minnesota Living With Heart Failure Questionnaire in 61 patients with Chronic Systolic Heart Failure secondary to Chagas' cardiomyopathy. Mean total score was 37.3+/-21.4, mean physical dimension score 15.3+/-9.9 and mean emotional dimension score 7.4+/-5.2. A negative correlation between total score and hemoglobin levels, Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressure and the 6-Minute Walk Test were observed. Total score was higher in patients in Class IV, on amiodarone, furosemide and carvedilol, and in non-sinus rhythm patients. Quality of Life Assessment in chagasic patients is similar to that found in patients with nonchagasic heart failure.