Vik R. Vikram, M.D.

The purpose of this study is to learn more about incidence of infection complications in recipients of mechanical circulatory assist device recipients (MCAD).  Evaluate morbidity and mortality associated with infection complications in MCAD recipients.

The objective of the treatment program described here is to make benznidazole available in the United States on a compassionate-use basis for treatment of T. cruzi infection—specifically, for patients who have acute or congenital infection, reactivated infection, or chronic infection (without advanced cardiac disease)—and for prophylaxis of infection, when indicated in the setting of proven exposure. Benznidazole will be provided for individual patients who meet the eligibility criteria, on request of the treating physician, after consultation with CDC staff.