Demographic and clinical characteristics of chronic chagasic subjects included in this investigation.

*Subjects 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29 = with previous etiologic treatment (3 to 35 years ago); Bz = benznidazole.Cardiomyopathy-free patients: asymptomatic, normal physical examination, normal ECG, normal chest X-rays and normal 2D-echocardiogram. LVEF>50%.Patients with mild cardiomyopathy : positive symptoms or physical abnormalities, or abnormal ECG and/or chest X-rays and abnormal 2D-echocardiogram but with preserved global left ventricular function (LVEF>50%); moderate cardiomyopathy : impaired global LV function but EF still >35%; severe cardiomyopathy : LVEF≤35%.