Effect of colchicine on inflammation and myocardial fibrosis assessed by magnetic resonance imaging in patients with Chagas' heart disease

Abstract

Introduction: Chagas disease is considered one of the main cause of dilated cardiomyopathy in Latin America. The histopathological characteristics of Chagas' disease are the presence of myocarditis, destruction of heart fibers, and severe myocardial fibrosis. Colchicine had a protective effect on myocardium, indicated by decreased interstitial myocardial fibrosis and attenuated myocardial inflammation. It is an inflammatory cause of cardiomyopathy and myocardial fibrosis is the hallmark of this disease. Colchicine is a drug used in inflammatory diseases, and could also act on myocardial remodeling interfering in the synthesis of collagen. The objective of this study will evaluate whether colchicine is associated with reduction in inflammation and myocardial fibrosis in patients with Chagas heart disease. Material and methods: We will study 40 patients with Chagas disease) (stage B1) who present electrocardiographic abnormalities (arrhythmias and/or conduction disorders) and echocardiographic (regional contractility disorder, but with preserved systolic function at rest and 20 control group patients. Patients will be followed for 12 months, evaluated by cardiac magnetic resonance before and after treatment. We will be measured and compared between pre and post treatment: inflammatory markers such as IL-1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-alpha e IF-gamma, galectin-3 and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). All patients will undergo 24 hour Holter with analysis of heart rate variability. (AU)