Differential Clubbing and a Triad of Patent Ductus Arteriosus, Ventricular Septal Defect and Supravalvular Ring Mitral Stenosis: A Case Report.

It is not uncommon for congenital heart defects to occur in clusters. Those involving a right to left heart shunt commonly cause cyanosis and finger clubbing. Differential clubbing involving only the lower limb digits is a strong pointer to the presence of patent ductus arteriosus with reversal of shunt. We report a case of 25-year-old man with effort intolerance and differential clubbing. He was found to have the uncommon triad of patent ductus arteriosus, ventricular septal defect and supravalvular ring mitral stenosis. The presence of differential clubbing on a background of patent ductus arteriosus usually indicates a reversal of shunt and negates surgical intervention. This general rule may however not apply with co-existing mitral stenosis as the elevated pulmonary pressure may be predominantly post-capillary. The finding of mitral stenosis in a patient with patent ductus arteriosus and differential limb clubbing may signify a good prognostic surgical outcome.

Il n'est pas rare que des malformations cardiaques congénitales surviennent en clusters. Celles impliquant un shunt cardiaque droitegauche provoquent souvent une cyanose et un hippocratisme digital. L'hippocratisme digital différentiel touchant uniquement les orteils des membres inférieurs est un indicateur fort de la présence d'un canal artériel persistant avec inversion du shunt. Nous rapportons le cas d'un homme de 25 ans présentant une intolérance à l'effort et un hippocratisme digital différentiel. Il a été diagnostiqué avec la triade peu commune de canal artériel persistant, de communication interventriculaire et de sténose mitrale à anneau supravalvulaire. La présence d'un hippocratisme digital différentiel sur un fond de canal artériel persistant indique généralement une inversion du shunt et exclut une intervention chirurgicale. Cependant, cette règle générale peut ne pas s'appliquer en présence d'une sténose mitrale concomitante, car la pression pulmonaire élevée peut être principalement post-capillaire. La découverte d'une sténose mitrale chez un patient atteint de canal artériel persistant et d'un hippocratisme digital différentiel peut indiquer un bon pronostic pour l'intervention chirurgicale.

Premature Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: A Case of Myocardial Infarction Seven Years after Bentall Procedure in a Nigerian Man.

Surgical procedures often carry varying risk of post-procedural complications. The Bentall procedure for managing aortic root diseases has known complications including graft infection, pseudoaneurysm of the aorta or coronary arteries, embolisation and coronary insufficiency. The last three complications can cause myocardial infarction, are evaluated with coronary angiography and have been well described in the literature. Surprisingly, none of these possible complications was found in our patient. This case report describes a young Nigerian man with atherosclerotic coronary artery disease seven years after Bentall procedure.

Les interventions chirurgicales comportent souvent un risque variable de complications postopératoires. L'intervention de Bentall pour traiter les maladies de la racine aortique présente des complications connues, notamment l'infection du greffon, le pseudo-anévrisme de l'aorte ou des artères coronaires, l'embolisation et l'insuffisance coronarienne. Les trois dernières complications peuvent provoquer un infarctus du myocarde, sont évaluées par coronarographie et ont été bien décrites dans la littérature. Il est surprenant de constater qu'aucune de ces complications possibles n'a été constatée chez notre patient. Ce rapport de cas décrit un jeune homme nigérian avec une maladie coronarienne athérosclérotique sept ans après la procédure de Bentall. Mots-clés: Procédure de Bentall, Coronaropathie, Cardiopathie ischémique, Infarctus du myocarde, Nigeria.

Clinical Characteristics, Management, and Six-Month Outcomes after Discharge of Patients Admitted for Acute Heart Failure in Ibadan, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: The burden of acute heart failure (AHF) is on the increase globally however, there are few studies on AHF in Nigeria and among black populations. OBJECTIVE: This study described the clinical profile, conventional management and six-months outcome after discharge of patients admitted for acute heart failure at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. METHODS: The study was a prospective study of 160 consecutive AHF patients. Socio-demographic details, clinical history, basic laboratory parameters electrocardiographic and echocardiographic parameters were assessed. They were followed-up for six-months after discharge to ascertain death or readmission. RESULTS: The mean ± standard deviation (SD) age of all the patients was 58.0 ±15.1 years. Those aged 60 years and above constituted about half of the participants. Males comprised 59.3% and hypertension was the most common risk factor (77.5%). One hundred and thirty-four subjects (83.8%) were in New York Heart Association functional classes III or IV. The most common AHF type was heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and mostly presented de novo. The mean duration of admission was 11 days while intrahospital mortality and mortality at 6 months after discharge were 6.3% and 25.6% respectively. CONCLUSION: This study provided a real-world data of AHF at UCH, Ibadan, Nigeria. It showed AHF was predominantly associated with hypertension. There was high mortality among these AHF subjects. There is a need for more strategy in our environment for preventing AHF and its adverse outcomes.

CONTEXTE: Le fardeau de l'insuffisance cardiaque aiguë (ICA) est en augmentation dans le monde entier ; cependant, il existe peu d'études sur l'ICA au Nigeria et parmi les populations noires. OBJECTIF: Cette étude décrit le profil clinique, la prise en charge conventionnelle et le résultat six mois après la sortie des patients admis pour une insuffisance cardiaque aiguë à l'University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. MÉTHODES: L'étude était une étude prospective de 160 patients consécutifs souffrant d'insuffisance cardiaque aiguë. Les détails sociodémographiques, l'histoire clinique, les paramètres de laboratoire de base, les paramètres électrocardiographiques et échocardiographiques ont été évalués. Ils ont été suivis pendant six mois après leur sortie de l'hôpital pour vérifier le décès ou la réadmission. RÉSULTATS: L'âge moyen ± écart-type (ET) de tous les patients était de 58,0 ±15,1 ans. Les personnes âgées de 60 ans et plus constituaient environ la moitié des participants. Les hommes représentaient 59,3 % et l'hypertension était le facteur de risque le plus fréquent (77,5 %). Cent trente-quatre sujets (83,8 %) appartenaient aux classes fonctionnelles III ou IV de la New York Heart Association. Le type d'AHF le plus fréquent était l'insuffisance cardiaque avec fraction d'éjection réduite et se présentait le plus souvent de novo. La durée moyenne d'admission était de 11 jours tandis que la mortalité intrahospitalière et la mortalité à 6 mois après la sortie étaient respectivement de 6,3% et 25,6%. CONCLUSION: Cette étude a fourni des données réelles de l'AHF à l'UCH, Ibadan, Nigeria. Elle a montré que l'AHF était principalement associée à l'hypertension. Il y avait une mortalité élevée parmi ces sujets AHF. Il y a un besoin de plus de stratégie dans notre environnement pour prévenir l'AHF et ses résultats défavorables. Mots-clés: Insuffisance cardiaque. Insuffisance cardiaque aiguë, Nigeria, Hypertension, Maladie cardiovasculaire.

PREDICTORS OF ACUTE HEART FAILURE OUTCOMES AT UNIVERSITY COLLEGE HOSPITAL, IBADAN, NIGERIA.

Background: Studies of acute heart failure (AHF) outcomes suggest that there are different predictors of mortality depending on region, ethnicity, and gender. Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of six months' post discharge outcome among AHF patients in a Nigerian tertiary hospital. Methods and Materials: This study was a prospective observational study conducted at the cardiology unit of the Department of Medicine at the University College Hospital Ibadan. One hundred and sixty AHF participants ≥ 18 years old were recruited. Results: The mean age of the cohort was 58.0±15.1 years and most were males (59.4%). The independent predictors for death outcome after six months of discharge for AHF and the adjusted hazard ratio) (95% CI) were male gender 2.77 (1.17 -6.56); p =0.020 ; systolic blood pressure (mmHg) 0.98 (0.96 - 0.99); p = 0.011 ; and the presence of hepatomegaly 2.58 (1.02 - 6.51); p = 0.045 . Independent predictors for readmission or rehospitalization within 6 months after discharge were presence of right abdominal pain adjusted HR (95% CI): 2.07(1.14 - 3.76), p=0.017; SBP 0.98(0.96 - 0.99), p=0.005. Independent predictors for composite endpoint were male gender: adjusted HR: 2.08 (1.16 - 3.72), p= 0.014 and pericardial effusion and tamponade: 5.31(1.79 - 15.74), p=0.003 . Conclusion: The study provided an insight into the factors contributing to outcomes six-month after admission in a tertiary centre in South-Western Nigeria, and it highlighted the predictive role of systolic blood pressure.

LEFT VENTRICULAR NONCOMPACTION CARDIOMYOPATHY: A SCOPING REVIEW.

Introduction: There has been an upsurge in the reporting of cases of Left Ventricular Noncompaction (LVNC) cardiomyopathy in medical literature in the last 35 years due to advances in medical imaging.The condition was first described in 1926 and the first reported case by echocardiography was in 1984. The American Heart Association considers LVNC a primary cardiomyopathy of genetic origin, while the European Society of Cardiology and the World Health Organization grouped it as an unclassified cardiomyopathy. Its variability in terms of genetic profile, phenotypic expression, clinical presentation, and histopathological findings makes it somewhat a variant of other cardiomyopathies. Case presentation: Patients with LVNC cardiomyopathy may not have any symptoms or may present with ventricular arrhythmias, heart failure, thromboembolism, or sudden death. LVNC cardiomyopathy diagnosis is typically made by echocardiography, although there are higher resolution cardiac imaging techniques. Management will depend on the patient's clinical presentation. Due to its genetic association, there is a need to screen living relatives once the diagnosis is made in an individual. Conclusion: The aim of this paper is to review current knowledge on this condition.

Influence of systolic blood pressure on outcomes in Nigerians with peripartum cardiomyopathy.

Background: The relationship between blood pressure (BP) trajectories and outcomes in patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is not clear. Aim: The study aimed to assess the clinical features and outcomes (all-cause mortality and unrecovered left ventricular [LV] systolic function) of PPCM patients grouped according to their baseline systolic BP (SBP). Patients and Methods: PPCM patients presenting to 14 tertiary hospitals in Nigeria were consecutively recruited between June 2017 and March 2018 and then followed up till March 2019. SBP at first presentation was used to categorize the patients into seven groups: <90, 90-99, 100-109, 110-119, 120-129, 130-139, and ≥140 mmHg. Unrecovered LV systolic function was defined as echocardiographic LV ejection fraction (LVEF) below 55% at the last profiling. Results: Two hundred and twenty-seven patients were recruited and followed up for a median of 18 months. Of these, 4.0% had <90 mmHg, 16.3% had 90-99 mmHg, 24.7% had 100-109 mmHg, 24.7% had 110-119 mmHg, 18.5% had 120-129 mmHg, 7.5% had 130-139 mmHg, and 4.4% had ≥140 mmHg of SBP at presentation. The highest frequency of all-cause mortality was recorded among patients with SBP ≤90 mmHg (30.8%) followed by those with 90-99 mmHg (20.5%) (P = 0.076), while unrecovered LV systolic function did not differ significantly between the groups (P = 0.659). In a Cox proportional regression model for all-cause mortality, SBP <90 mmHg had a hazard ratio (HR) of 4.00 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.49-10.78, P = 0.006), LVEF had an HR of 0.94 (95% CI 0.91-0.98, P = 0.003, B = 0.06%), and use of angiotensin-converting enzyme or angiotensin receptor and/or ß-receptor blockers had an HR of 1.71 (95% CI 0.93-3.16, P = 0.085). However, SBP was not associated with LV function recovery. Conclusion: In our cohort of PPCM patients, one-fifth was hypotensive at presentation. SBP <90 mmHg at presentation was associated with a four-fold higher risk of all-cause mortality during a median follow-up of 18 months.

Association between Height and Blood Pressure in Middle Age and Older Adults in Southeast Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: This study was carried out in Abia State, Southeast Nigeria, to determine the association between height and blood pressure in middle age and elderly adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study carried out in Abia State, Southeast Nigeria, between August 2011 and March 2012. The participants were residents in the state and were recruited from the three senatorial zones of the state. The total number of participants that took part in the study was 2,487 adults. The World Health Organisation STEPwise approach to surveillance of chronic disease risk factors was used. Information collected included blood pressure and anthropometric measurements. The association between height and blood pressure was determined. RESULTS: A total of 1,363 participants that took part in the study were >40 years old. Six hundred and fifty-five participants (48.1%) were males and 708 participants (51.9%) were females. There was no significant inverse relationship between height and blood pressure components ( Systolic Blood Pressure Diastolic Blood Pressure, and Pulse Pressure ) among the males. Among the females there was a high inverse relationship between height and blood pressure components. However, this relationship was not statistically significant. In addition, among the males there was no relationship between height and hypertension. Among the females, there was some degree of inverse relationship between height and hypertension, although multivariate regression analysis showed that this was not significant. CONCLUSION: There was an inverse but non-significant relationship between height and blood pressure components/ hypertension among males and females in Southeast Nigeria in this study.

CONTEXTE: Cette étude a été menée dans l'État d'Abia, au sud-est du Nigeria, pour déterminer, pour déterminer l'association entre la taille et la pression artérielle chez les adultes d'âge moyen et les personnes âgées. MATÉRIEL ET MÉTHODES: Il s'agissait d'une étude transversale réalisée dans l'État d'Abia, au sud-est du Nigeria, entre août 2011 et mars 2012. Les participants étaient des résidents de l'État et ont été recrutés dans les trois zones sénatoriales de l'État. Le nombre total de participants ayant pris part à l'étude était de 2 487 adultes. L'approche STEPwise de l'Organisation mondiale de la santé pour la surveillance des facteurs de risque des maladies chroniques a été utilisée. Les informations recueillies comprenaient la pression artérielle et les mesures anthropométriques. L'association entre la taille et la pression artérielle a été déterminée. RÉSULTATS: Au total, 1 363 participants à l'étude étaient âgés de plus de 40 ans. Six cent cinquante-cinq participants (48,1%) étaient des hommes et 708 participants (51,9 %) étaient des femmes. Il n'y avait pas de relation inverse significative entre la taille et les composantes de la pression artérielle (pression artérielle systolique, pression artérielle diastolique et pression du pouls) chez les hommes. Chez les femmes, on a constaté une forte relation inverse entre la taille et les composantes de la pression artérielle. Cependant, cette relation n'était pas statistiquement significative. En outre, Chez les hommes, il n'y a pas de relation entre la taille et l'hypertension. Chez les femmes, on a constaté un certain degré de relation inverse entre la taille et l'hypertension, bien que l'analyse de régression multivariée a montré qu'elle n'était pas significative. CONCLUSION: Il existe une relation inverse, mais non significative, entre la taille et les composantes de la pression artérielle/ hypertension chez les hommes et les femmes du sud-est du Nigeria. Mots clés: Taille, Hypertension, Pression artérielle, Pression artérielle systolique.

THE EARLY PHYSICIANS OF IBADAN MEDICAL SCHOOL: PROFESSOR ALEXANDER BROWN.

The paper chronicles the life and times of Professor Alexander Brown, the Foundation Professor and Head of the Department of Medicine at the University of Ibadan. The official opening of the University College Ibadan, Nigeria on 20 November 1957 as well as the graduation of the first set of clinical students in 1960 were glorious moments for Alexander Brown who laboured for 12years to witness these. He was also instrumental to the creation of the Department of Paediatrics (1962), Department of Radiology (1963) and the Medical Illustration unit of the hospital. Paediatrics and Radiology were initially units in the Department of Medicine. He played significant role in the development of postgraduate programmes in Cardiology, neuropsychiatry and nephrology units of the hospital and substantial role in the development of nursing education in the hospital. He was the brain behind the famous Ibarapa Community Health Project.

BURDEN OF ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION AMONG HEART FAILURE PATIENTS IN A CENTRE IN THE SOUTH-WESTERN NIGERIA: A PILOT STUDY.

Background: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common problem among heart failure (HF) patients but is usually ignored in busy clinics in developing countries like Nigeria. Evidence abound that it has a great impact on the quality of life, survival, and prognosis of HF patients. Objective: This study sought to evaluate the burden of ED among HF patients at the University College Hospital, Ibadan. Methods: This pilot cross-sectional study was conducted in the Cardiology clinic of the Medical Outpatient Unit of the Department of Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan. Consenting male patients with chronic HF were consecutively recruited into the study between June 2017 and March 2018. The International Index of Erectile Function-version five (IIFE-5) was used to access the presence and degree of ED. Statistical analysis was done with SPSS version 23. Results: A total of 98 patients were recruited with a mean± standard deviation (SD) age of 57.6 ±13.3 years, and age range of 20-88 years. The majority of the participants were married (78.6%), and the mean ± SD duration of HF diagnosis was 3.7 ±4.6years. The overall frequency of ED was 76.5%, and those with previous self-reported ED were 21.4%. Mild erectile dysfunction, mild to moderate erectile dysfunction, moderate erectile dysfunction, and severe erectile dysfunction were present in 24(24.5%), 28(28.6%), 14(14.3%), and 9(9.2%) respectively. Conclusion: Erectile dysfunction is common among chronic heart failure patients in Ibadan. Therefore, adequate attention is needed for this sexual health issue among males with heart failure to improve their quality of care.

GENDER DIFFERENCES IN THE CLINICAL PROFILE AND SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY IN IBADAN, NIGERIA.

Background: Cardiomyopathies contribute about 18.2-40.2% (average- 21.4%) to the global burden of heart failure of which dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a major cause. DCM is the second commonest cause of heart failure in Ibadan. The gender differences in the clinical profile has not been described in our setting. Objective: In this study, we set out to describe the gender differences in the pattern and presentation of DCM at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. Methods: This was an analysis of a prospectively collected data over a period of 5 years (August 1, 2016 to July 31, 2021). Results: A total of 117 subjects, 88 males (75.3%) and 29 females (24.8%) aged 50.30 ± 14.7 years (range, 17 to 86 years). Males had significantly achieved a higher educational level than females (p = 0.004). Males were more likely to be employed and had more monthly income compared to females. Males were significantly more likely to use alcohol and smoke cigarette (p = 0.0001 and 0.001 respectively). Females were more likely to be in NYHA class III/IV. There was no statistically significant difference in the relationship between any medication and gender of participants (p > 0.05). Conclusions: DCM is a disease of young and middle-aged adults in our population. The commonest age group was 20-39 years and there was male preponderance. There were some gender differences in the clinical profile of the disease in our environment.

Pregnancy-associated Acute Myocardial Infarction (PAMI): Case Report.

Cardiovascular diseases are recognised complications of pregnancy, however, pregnancy-associated acute myocardial infarction (PAMI) is uncommon. Pregnancy is known to increase risk of myocardial infarction even in the absence of traditional risk factors for atherosclerotic vascular disease. Our patient presented with acute chest pain two weeks after delivery and her electrocardiogram was in keeping with STelevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Coronary angiography revealed coronary artery dissection and she was managed conservatively. Various pathophysiological mechanisms of PAMI have been described in literature including spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) found in our case. The diagnosis is often missed and earlier reported cases were diagnosed at autopsy. Therefore, we report this case as a learning tool. Also, there is a need for a high index of suspicion in pregnant patients presenting with features suggestive of aortic dissection, and its diagnosis should be thought of in peripartum women presenting with acute chest pain.

Les maladies cardiovasculaires sont des complications reconnues de la grossesse, cependant, l'infarctus aigu du myocarde associé à la grossesse (IPAM) est rare. La grossesse est connue pour augmenter le risque d'infarctus du myocarde même en l'absence de facteurs de risque traditionnels de maladie vasculaire athéroscléreuse. Notre patiente s'est présentée avec une douleur thoracique aiguë deux semaines après l'accouchement et son électrocardiogramme était conforme à l'infarctus du myocarde avec élévation de l'échelle (STEMI). La coronarographie a révélé une dissection de l'artère coronaire et elle a été gérée de manière conservatrice. Divers mécanismes physiopathologiques de PAMI ont été décrits dans la littérature, y compris la dissection spontanée des artères coronaires (SCAD) trouvée dans notre cas. Le diagnostic est souvent manqué et les cas signalés antérieurement ont été diagnostiqués à l'autopsie. Par conséquent, nous rapportons ce cas comme un outil d'apprentissage. En outre, il existe un besoin d'un indice de suspicion élevé chez les patientes enceintes présentant des caractéristiques suggérant une dissection aortique, et son diagnostic doit être envisagé chez les femmes en péripartum présentant une douleur thoracique aiguë.

PERICARDIAL EFFUSION IN A PATIENT WITH HYPERTHYROIDISM: A CASE REPORT.

Pericarditis and pericardial effusion are commonly associated with hypothyroidism. It is an uncommon association with hyperthyroidism. We present a case of pericarditis/pericardial effusion in a 28-year-old Nigerian lady with hyperthyroidism. There was resolution of the pericardial effusion with antithyroid medications and steroid therapy. We recommend a high index of suspicion of this association in patients with hyperthyroidism and/or Graves' disease.

Impaired Renal Function and its Predictors among Treatment-Naive HIV-seropositive Patients in a Tertiary Institution in South-East Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Renal impairment is a significant independent risk factor for mortality among HIV-infected patients. Some antiretroviral drugs are nephrotoxic, especially to the tubules, and their dosage need to be modified in the presence of renal impairment to avoid progression to chronic kidney disease. AIM: To determine the prevalence and predictors of renal impairment among treatment-naïve HIV sero-positive patients seen at Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, Abia state. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving 115 HIV-seropositive treatment-naïve cases and 115 seronegative controls. Questionnaires were administered and history regarding health status was obtained. Participants had biophysical profile measured. Blood and urine specimens were analyzed in the laboratory. The re-expressed modification of diet in renal disease (MDRD) was used to determine estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR). Factors found to be associated with renal impairment were subjected to binary logistic regression analysis to determine the predictors of renal impairment. RESULTS: The prevalence of renal impairment among the cases was 27.8%. Factors associated with renal impairment included duration of HIV diagnosis of 12 months and above, significant intake of herbal remedies, hypertension, significant proteinuria, WHO clinical stage 3 or 4, anaemia and CD4 count less than 350cells/µL. Predictors of renal impairment were hypertension, WHO clinical stage 3 or 4 disease, significant proteinuria and significant intake of herbal remedies. CONCLUSION: Renal impairment was prevalent in this sample. Concerted efforts should be directed to early diagnosis of renal impairment among these patients. Reno-protective measures need to be instituted early to avoid deleterious outcomes.

Knowledge and practices of blood pressure measurement among final year students, house officers, and resident dental surgeons in a dental hospital, South West Nigeria.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the knowledge and practices of blood pressure measurement (BPM) among final year students, house officers, and resident dental surgeons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study consisting of a convenience sample of all final year students, house officers, and resident dental surgeons in a dental hospital in South West Nigeria was conducted. All participants were requested to complete a 16-item questionnaire about their knowledge of accurate BPM. After completing the questionnaire, the participants were observed by a single research associate as they measured the blood pressure (BP) of patients using a checklist prepared according to the World Health Organization and the American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines for measuring BP. The performance score was based on a 25-element skillset on BP measurement. Data were entered into Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 22. Frequencies and means were generated and independent Student's t-tests and Pearson's Chi-square tests were used to test the association between continuous and categorical variables, respectively at P value < 0.05. RESULTS: In total, 139 questionnaires were returned by 59 final year dental nursing students, 29 final year dental students, 14 house officers, 18 registrars, and 19 senior registrars. Overall, 46.0% of the participants had poor knowledge of accurate BPM. The mean [standard deviation (SD)] BPM knowledge score was 5.8 (2.0), dental nursing students had the least 4.8 (1.5) score, and dental students had the highest 6.9 (2.0) score (P < 0.0001). Overall, the mean (SD) BPM knowledge scores for students and dentists were 5.5 (1.9) and 6.4 (1.9), respectively (P = 0.01). One-hundred and thirty-seven (98.6%) participants performed BPM inaccurately. There was a weak positive non-statistically significant correlation between knowledge and performance scores (r = 0.03; P = 0.75). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, 46.0% of participants had poor knowledge of accurate BPM while 98.6% performed BPM inadequately. These findings suggest the need for curriculum review on accurate BPM.

Incidence, clinical characteristics, and risk factors of peripartum cardiomyopathy in Nigeria: results from the PEACE Registry.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to describe the incidence, clinical characteristics and risk factors of peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) in Nigeria. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study was conducted in 22 hospitals in Nigeria, and PPCM patients were consecutively recruited between June 2017 and March 2018. To determine factors associated with PPCM, the patients were compared with apparently healthy women who recently delivered, as controls. Four hundred six patients were compared with 99 controls. The incidence and disease burden (based on the rate of consecutive recruitment of subjects) varied widely between the six geographical zones of Nigeria. From the North-West zone, 72.3% of the patients was recruited, where an incidence as high as 1 per 96 live births was obtained in a centre, while the disease was uncommon (7.6% of all recruited patients) in the South. Majority of the patients (76.6%) and controls (74.8%) (p = 0.694) were of Hausa-Fulani ethnic group. Atrial fibrillation, intracardiac thrombus, stroke, and right ventricular systolic dysfunction were found in 1.7%, 6.4%, 2.2%, and 54.9% of the patients, respectively. Lack of formal education (odds ratio [OR] 3.08, 95% confidence interval [1.71, 5.53]; P < 0.001), unemployment (OR: 3.28 [2.05, 5.24]; P < 0.001), underweight (OR: 13.43 [4.17, 43.21]; P < 0.001) and history of pre-eclampsia (OR: 9.01 [2.18, 37.75]; P = 0.002) emerged as independent PPCM risk factors using regression models. Customary hot baths (OR: 1.24 [0.80, 1.93]; P = 0.344), pap enriched with dried lake salt (OR: 1.20 [0.74, 1.94]; P = 0.451), and Hausa-Fulani ethnicity (OR: 1.11 [0.67, 1.84]; P = 0.698) did not achieve significance as PPCM risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: In Nigeria, the burden of PPCM was greatest in the North-West zone, which has the highest known incidence. PPCM was predicted by sociodemographic factors and pre-eclampsia, which should be considered in its control at population level. Postpartum customary birth practices and Hausa-Fulani ethnicity were not associated with PPCM in Nigeria.

Enteroviruses as a possible cause of hypertension, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and hypertensive heart failure (HHF) in South western Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Human enteroviruses have long been associated with various diseases of man resulting into a wide range of acute symptoms involving the cardiac and skeletal muscles, central nervous system, pancreas, skin and mucous membranes. OBJECTIVE: To assess the role of enteroviruses in the etiology of hypertension, DCM and HHF. METHODS: We obtained stool specimens from 70 subjects comprising 65 patients and 5 controls and isolation was carried out on RD, L20B, HEp-2C and Vero cell lines and identified by neutralization with standard antisera (RIVM). Thirty-six enteroviruses were isolated and identified to be Coxsackieviruses-B5, A9, Echoviruses 1, 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 22, 30 and Poliovirus type 1 and 3. RESULTS: Three most frequently occurring enterovirus serotypes which constitute 60.0% of the 30 NPEV typed and 50.0% of all the isolates were Echoviruses, Coxsackie-B5-virus and Coxsackievirus-A9. Echoviruses constituted 50.0% of all the serotypes while Coxsackieviruses-B5 and A9 accounts for the 27.8 % and 5.6% respectively. Enteroviral isolation rate was higher in age groups 51 years and above. The percentage of study subjects who had Coxsackie-B5-viruses and echoviruses was significantly (P<0.05) higher in cases of hypertension, HHF and DCM than in control subjects. Coxackie-B5-virus, Echovirus-6 and Echovirus-11 were found in both study locations. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study showed that Enteroviruses may likely be involved in the etiology of hypertension, DCM and HHF. Further studies would therefore be necessary for the prevention and control of these diseases.

Cardiomyopathies and myocardial disorders in Africa: present status and the way forward.

A review of heart diseases in Africa shows that the cardiomyopathies continue to be important causes of morbidity and mortality in the population. Hypertension remains the commonest cause of myocardial disease, followed by the cardiomyopathies. Ischaemic heart disease continues to be rare. Of the cardiomyopathies, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is still the commonest. A large proportion of patients diagnosed with DCM in Africa have been shown to be cases of hypertensive heart failure, with varying degrees of myocardial dysfunction. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which in the past was thought to be rare among Africans, has been shown to have the same prevalence as in other parts of the world. Moreover it is now known to be a genetic disorder. Endomyocardial fibrosis has become rare in communities where it used to be common. Its aetiology continues to be elusive. Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy has been reported among Africans but there are no reports of left ventricular non-compaction or the ion channelopathies from Africa. Lenegre disease and the long-QT syndromes are well-known entities in clinical practice in Africa although long-QT in Africa is associated with potassium deficiency arising from prolonged treatment with diuretics. Left ventricular non-ischaemic aneurysms still occur but are rare. In view of these, a new classification of myocardial disorders was proposed for Africa.

Prevalence of ventricular arrhythmias and heart rate variability pattern in chronic heart failure.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of ventricular arrhythmias and heart rate variability pattern in patients on treatment for chronic heart failure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty four hour ambulatory electrocardiograms were recorded in 60 patients with chronic heart failure and echocardiography left ventricular ejection fraction of less than 45%.Sixty age and sex- matched individuals with no obvious evidence of underlying cardiac disease were also evaluated for comparison. RESULTS: Premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) were evident in all subjects being infrequent [ < 30 PVCs per hour], in 21 (35%) and frequent [ > 30 PVCs per hour] in 39 (65%).Multiform extra systoles were recorded in 44 (73.3%) subjects, ventricular couplets in 50 (83.4%), and non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) in 28 (46.7%) of the 60 subjects. Among the controls, PVCs were seen in 27(45%) and were all infrequent. None of the controls had multiform extra systole, ventricular couplets or NSVT. Significant inverse relationships were found between ejection fraction and PVC per h ( P-value < 0.001), ventricular couplet per 24h (P-value < 0.001) and NSVT per hour (P-value 0.002).Time domain heart rate variability measures i.eMean Standard Deviation of Normal to Normal RR Interval (SDNN), mean Percentage of Adjacent NN Intervals in a 24 hour recording which differ by at least 50ms (pNN550) , mean Root Mean Square Successive Difference in RR Interval (rMSSD) were significantly lower in the subjects compared to the controls. The corresponding P-values were < 0.001, < 0.001, < 0.001 respectively. A significant positive correlation was found between EF and SDNN ( P-value < 0.001), pNN50 (P-value 0.044) and rMSSD (P-value < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study showed that ambulant out patients with chronic heart failure, have significantly higher prevalence of ventricular arrhythmias and narrow heart rate variability compared to healthy individuals of comparable age and gender.

Early diastolic functional abnormalities in normotensive offspring of Nigerian hypertensives.

BACKGROUND: Some studies have suggested that diastolic dysfunction precedes the clinical manifestation of hypertension. Whether changes in cardiac structure and function predate the clinical manifestation of hypertension later in life is now being investigated. The aim of this study was to assess the differences in cardiac structure and function between the offspring of hypertensive and normotensive parents. METHODS: Eighty normotensive offspring of hypertensive parents (OHyp) (41 females and 39 males) and 62 normotensive offspring of normotensive parents (ONorm) (31 males and 31 females) were recruited for echocardiography. RESULTS: The mean age was 25.0 (5.31) and 24.3 (3.60) years in the OHyp and ONorm participants, respectively (p = 0.369). Other baseline parameters were comparable between the two groups. Septal wall thickness in systole was higher in the OHyp than the ONorm subjects [1.3 (0.35) vs 1.1 (0.25), p = 0.0173]. Indexed left ventricular mass [28.1 (7.33) vs 27.5 (7.23), p = 0.631] and relative wall thickness [(0.3 (0.10) vs 0.3 (0.90), p = 0.280] were similar in the two groups. The offspring of hypertensives had lower deceleration time [149.9 (38.89) vs 169.0 (50.08) ms, p = 0.012], prolonged duration of pulmonary A reverse flow [113.5 (70.69) vs 81.7 (38.31) ms, p = 0.024], increased myocardial isovolumic relaxation time [173.4 (47.98) vs 156.1 (46.74) ms, p = 0.033] and a lower myocardial Em [0.2 (0.05) vs 0.3 (1.38), p = 0.037] and myocardial Em/Am ratio [1.6 (0.01) vs 2.1 (0.01), p = 0.019] than the offspring of normotensives. CONCLUSION: This study showed that offspring of OHyp subjects had early diastolic functional abnormalities when compared with offspring of ONorm participants. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine the implications of this finding in this African population.