de Souza et al developed a score for predicting the risk of sudden death in a patient with Chagas cardiomyopathy. This can help to identify a patient who may benefit from more aggressive management. The authors are from Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and Evandro Chagas Hospital in Brazil.
Patient selection: Chagas cardiomyopathy
Parameters:
(1) QT interval dispersion in milliseconds
(2) syncope
(3) ventricular extrasystoles (PVCs)
(4) left ventricular dysfunction
Parameter
Finding
Points
QT interval dispersion
< 60 milliseconds
0
>= 60 milliseconds
3
syncope
no
0
yes
2
ventricular extrasysoles
no
0
yes
1
ventricular dysfunction
none
0
mild
0
moderate
0
severe
1
total score =
= SUM(points for all 4 parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 7
• The higher the score the greater the risk of sudden death.
Total Score
Risk Group
Percent Sudden Death
0 to 2
low
1.5%
3 or 4
intermediate
25%
5 to 7
high
51%
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