[Cardiac insufficiency in the African cardiology milieu]

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the frequency, the aetiologies and the hospital mortality of heart failure in African developing countries.

Methods: A prospective study rolled over six months in African urban hospital including 170 patients, middle age 50 years old suffering from heart failure. They underwent clinical, paraclinical cardiac examination.

Results: Heart failure represented 37.7%. Main cardiac failure risks were: hypertension: 76 cases (45%), diabetes mellitus: 20 cases (11.8%). General heart failure is noted at the entrance in 67.6% with cerebral attack in 5%. EKG showed left ventricle hypertrophy in 108 patients (63.5%) and atrial fibrillation in 28 patients (16.6%). Valvular heart diseases and hypertension are the main aetiologies respectively: 76 cases (45%) and 58 cases (34%). In 10 cases (6%) the aetiology is unspecified. Hospital mortality concerned 44 patients (25.9%).

Conclusion: Heart failure is grave and frequent in developing countries where there is no cardiac surgery. Prevention is possible: fighting against articular rheumatism and control hypertension.