Cardiac imaging in patients with tropical diseases—a scientific statement of the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging (EACVI) of the European Society of Cardiology and the Cardiovascular Imaging Department of the Brazilian Society of Cardiology (DICSBC)

Tropical diseases (TDs), or neglected TDs, affect over 1 billion subjects globally, primarily in impoverished regions. Despite their impact, these diseases are often overlooked on the global health agenda, with limited resources allocated to their control. TDs are caused by various pathogens, including viruses, protozoa, helminths, and bacteria. Climate change and migration have led to the spread of TDs beyond tropical regions, highlighting the need for healthcare providers worldwide to address their management. The World Health Organization has released a road map for the prevention, control, and elimination of TDs by 2030. Cardiovascular involvement in TDs, including myocarditis, pericardial disease, pulmonary hypertension, obstructions caused by cysts, myocardial ischaemia, and cardiomyopathies, complicates disease prognosis. However, cardiovascular complications of TDs are often under-recognized and understudied. This scientific statement, prepared by the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging and the Cardiovascular Imaging Department of the Brazilian Society of Cardiology, reviews the current understanding of the use of cardiovascular imaging in TDs, underscores gaps of knowledge, and proposes potential solutions. Although limited evidence is available, cardiovascular imaging techniques are valuable in diagnosing and managing cardiac manifestations of TDs. The scientific statement addresses some of the main tropical infections today, such as dengue, malaria, schistosomiasis, and tuberculosis, but excludes Chagas disease and rheumatic fever, which have been extensively covered in other documents. When used effectively, cardiovascular imaging can potentially aid in early diagnosis, prevention of complications, and management of cardiovascular impairment due to TDs, improving healthcare systems and patient care.