ABSTRACT
Background Heart failure contributes to the global burden of cardiovascular diseases, with hypertensive heart failure affecting individuals in their productive age group and leading to high economic losses and disability-adjusted life years. The left atrium, on the other hand, contributes significantly to left ventricular filling in heart failure patients, and the left atrial function index is an excellent tool for assessing left atrial function among heart failure patients. The study aimed to evaluate some parameters of systolic and diastolic function as correlates and potential predictors of the left atrial function index among hypertensive heart failure cohorts. Materials and methods The study was conducted at Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara. Eighty (80) patients with hypertensive heart failure who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the cardiology outpatient clinics. The left atrial function index was calculated using the following formula: LAFI = (LAEF x LVOT-VTI)/LAESVI. (LAFI = left atrial function index; LAEF = left atrial emptying fraction; LAESVI = left atrial end-systolic volume index; LVOTVTI = outflow tract velocity time integral). The data were analysed using IBM Statistical Product and Service Solution Version 22. Relationships between variables were determined using analysis of variance, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regressions. Significance was assessed at p<0.05. Result It was discovered that the left atrial function index correlated with ejection fraction (r = 0.616, p = 0.001), fractional shortening (r = 0.462, p = 0.001), and the ratio of early transmitral flow to early myocardial contractility, E/E' (r = -0.522, p = 0.001). However, there was no correlation with stroke volume (r = 0.38, p = 0.11); the ratio of early transmitral flow to late transmitral flow, E/A (r = -0.10, p = 0.11); isovolumetric relaxation time, IVRT (r = -0.171, p = 0.11); and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, TAPSE (r = 0.185, p = 0.10). Of the variables that correlated with left atrial function index, left ventricular ejection fraction and the ratio of early transmitral flow to early myocardial contractility (E/E') were found to be independent predictors of left atrial function index. Conclusion Left ventricular ejection fraction and the ratio of early transmitral flow to early myocardial contractility reflect changes in the left atrial function index, and as such, they should be used as surrogates for its assessment, especially in low- and medium-income countries where left atrial function index estimation is not routinely done.
ABSTRACT
Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a non-communicable disease; it is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Nigeria as the incidence has been increasing in Nigeria over the last few years. A low-protein diet supplemented with ketoacids has been duly documented to reduce the malnutrition associated with CKD as well as improve estimated glomeruli filtration rate while delaying the onset of dialysis in predialysis CKD patients. Objective The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a low-protein diet supplemented with ketoacids compared to a conventional low protein on nutritional indices in predialysis CKD patients. Methods and materials A randomized controlled trial with a total of 60 participants was conducted at Delta State University Teaching Hospital (DELSUTH), Oghara, Nigeria. Participants were patients older than 18 years with CKD stage 3-5 who were not on dialysis. They were recruited and randomized into the intervention group (low-protein diet supplemented with ketoacids) with 30 participants and the non-intervention group (low protein with placebo) with 30 participants. The mean outcome was changed in the nutritional indices from baseline till the end of the study. Results A total of 60 patients were randomly allocated to receive a low-protein diet supplemented with ketoacids (n=30) or control (n=30). All participants were included in the analysis of all outcomes. The mean change score in serum total protein, albumin, and triglycerides between the intervention and non-intervention groups were 1.1±1.1 g/dL vs 0.1±1.1 g/dL (p<0.001), 0.2±0.9 g/dL vs -0.3±0.8 g/dL (p<0.001), and 3.0±3.5 g/dL vs 1.8±3.7 g/dL, respectively. Conclusion and recommendation The use of low-protein diet supplemented with ketoacids improved the anthropometric and nutritional indices in patients with stage 3-5 CKD.
