Neurología : publicación oficial de la Sociedad Española de Neurología
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American trypanosomiasis, known as Chagas' disease (CD) is a major Public Health problem in South America. Chronic cardiomyopathy is the most common clinical form of CD. Chagasic cardiomyopathy affects about 30 % of CD patients, and its manifestations begin on average 10-40 years after the initial infection. ⋯ Prevalence of apical aneurysm in CD stroke patients has been estimated in 37%. The diagnosis of CD may be established after stroke presentation in at least 40% of patients. Chagasic cardiomyopathy should be included in the differential diagnosis of the etiology of stroke, being a potential source of cardioembolic stroke.