Background Chagas disease affects millions of individuals across Latin America and imposes a substantial economic burden on healthcare systems, particularly in rural and underserved regions. Chronic Chagasic cardiomyopathy remains one of the leading causes of heart failure-related mortality in endemic countries.
Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) has emerged as a potential biomarker of myocardial fibrosis in cardiomyopathies. This study was designed to investigate the association between TIMP-1 and myocardial fibrosis in chronic Chagas disease and to assess its potential as an early biomarker of fibrotic remodelling.
Methods and analysis Bottom of form: The PTICH trial is a single-centre, prospective observational cohort study conducted at a government reference clinic in Pernambuco, Brazil. The study aims to enrol 210 adults with Chagas heart disease: 140 without ventricular dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≥52% in women and ≥54% in men) and 70 with ventricular dysfunction (LVEF Ethics and dissemination The Research Ethics Committee (REC) of Chagas disease and heart failure outpatient clinic - PROCAPE approved the PTICH trial (CAAE number: 65746322.8.1001.5192).
BMJ Open published a clinical update in Research Highlights on 02 Apr 2026.
The item focuses on Prospective cohort study of TIMP-1 and myocardial fibrosis in Chagas disease at a reference clinic in Pernambuco, Brazil: PTICH trial protocol.
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