Avaliação do teste da caminhada de seis minutos em pacientes com cardiomiopatia da doença de Chagas e com hipertensão arterial sistêmica

Abstract

In patients with chronic heart failure due to Chagas disease-Systemic Arterial Hypertension (Chagas-SAH) no data exist regarding physical capacity as detected by the 6-minute walk test. Methods: A total of 140 patients routinely followed at the Cardiomyopathy Outpatient Service of Hospital de Base from January, 2004 to January, 2008 were recruited for the study. Of them, 60 (44%) were diagnosed as having Chagas disease, 38 (27%) Chagas-SAH, and 42 (30%) chronic heart failure due to Systemic Arterial Hypertension (SAH). Results: The distance walked during 6 minutes was 357,9 ± 98 meters in Chagas-SAH patients, 395,8 ± 121 meters in Chagas disease patients (p >0,05), 272,7 ± 92,5 meters in SAH patients (p=0,002 versus Chagas disease patients; p <0,05 versus Chagas-SAH). The proportion of patients who walked less than 300 meters, a marker of dismal prognosis in patients with chronic heart failure, were 11 (29%) out of 38 patients in Chagas-SAH patients, 9 (15%) out of 60 patients in Chagas disease patients (p >0,05), and 25 (59%) out of 42 patients in the SAH patients (p<0,01, SAH versus Chagas-SAH patients, p<0,0005 versus Chagas disease patients). In patients with Chagas-SAH, there was a negative correlation between the 6-minute walk test and the total score of the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (r= -0,51; p=0,001). Conclusions: Results of the 6-minute walk test in Chagas-SAH patients are similar to those found in Chagas disease patients with chronic heart failure. There is a negative correlation between the 6-minute walk test and total score of the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire. Coexistence of SAH seems not to affect functional capacity of Chagas disease patients with chronic heart failure.