[Chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy. Serologic and anatomopathologic study].

In order to contribute to a better knowledge of the chronic chagasic myocardiopathy, a post-mortem serological and anatomopathological study of Chagas' disease was carried out in 40 corpses. Between november 1987 and august 1988, autopsies were performed at the Pathological Anatomy Service of Antofagasta Regional Hospital and the Legal Medicine Section of the Ministry of Justice in Antofagasta. Positive postmortem chagasic serology, by using an indirect immunofluorescence test in pericardial fluid, was confirmed in three cases, among which the study of the histopathology of the cardiac muscle showed "Trypanosoma cruzi type" elements of the damage. The macroscopic morphological study did not show relevant findings. Results reveal the need to implement anatomopathological study systems for routines which contribute to evaluate the chagasic etiology as a cause of death among population of the endemic Chilean area.