[Cardiac insufficiency in the African cardiology milieu].

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.