Cardiomyocyte dysfunction during the chronic phase of Chagas disease (original) (raw)

Chagas disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is a significant contributor to heart failure in Latin America. This research investigates the cardiomyocyte dysfunction occurring during the chronic phase of the disease in a mouse model. Findings reveal that infected ventricular cardiomyocytes exhibit prolonged action potentials, reduced L-type Ca2+ and transient outward K+ currents, and impaired calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, indicating compromised electrophysiological and calcium-handling properties that could lead to heart failure.