Analysis of a five year experience of permanent pacemaker implantation at a Nigerian Teaching Hospital: need for a national database

Permanent pacemaker insertion for bradyarrhythmias in a secondary health facility in sub-Saharan Africa

Background

Permanent cardiac pacemaker (PPM) insertion has been used clinically since 1960. It is a lifesaving procedure in symptomatic bradyarrhythmia. The experience of PPM implantation in non-Western countries has not been well characterized.

Objective

This study reports our experience in pacemaker insertion in the newly remodeled District General Hospital Awa. The Akwa Ibom state government fully sponsored the procedures with state funds; otherwise, patients would have to pay out of pocket.

Methods

The general hospital is fully equipped with an ultramodern theater with C-arm fluoroscopy and audiovisual facilities, and there is an anteroom in the procedural suite where people can watch for virtual learning. This is the first of its kind.

Results

A single-chamber (VVIR) pacemaker was implanted in all patients. There were no acute complications postsurgery. All patients were followed for at least 3 months. There were no deaths reported at the 3-month follow-up. Device interrogations were performed at the 3-month follow-up visit, and device parameters were all stable with excellent sensing thresholds. Routine follow-up for our center is a regular 2-monthly follow-up in the first year.

Conclusion

We conclude that permanent pacemakers can be safely carried out in a well-equipped district general hospital. Most needy patients are likely older, with complete heart block as the commonest indication. However, government and/or nongovernmental organizations need health insurance or subsidization to make it sustainable in low-income countries to which Nigeria belongs.

Cardiac pacing: indications, modalities, complications, and challenges (results of a multicenter cross-sectional study in four hospitals in Dakar, Senegal)

Introduction

cardiac pacing is the only lifesaving procedure which is effective for major cardiac conduction disorders. In sub-Saharan Africa, few pacemakers are implanted, compared to Western countries. This study aimed to describe the indications for cardiac pacing in four hospitals in Senegal, to evaluate its practical modalities, to identify pacemaker's complications and their predisposing factors and to evaluate the main challenges for cardiac pacing in Senegal.

Methods

we carried out a retrospective study over four years and eight months, from January 2015 to July 2019 in four hospitals in Dakar (Senegal). All patients who received a single-chamber or double-chamber permanent pacemaker were included. Variables included age, gender, symptoms, comorbidities, ECG results, cardiac pacing indications, implantation data, type of procedure, vein approach, use of temporary stimulation lead, data on the characteristics of the pacemaker and probes, and complications.

Results

six-hundred and-twenty (620) permanent cardiac pacemakers were implanted. That is to say an implantation rate of 41 per million population in Senegal. The mean age of the patients was 71±11.77 years. The male gender was in the majority with a sex ratio of 1.19. Eighty-five percent (n=527) of our patients were symptomatic before implantation while 15% (n=93) were asymptomatic. The symptoms were mainly dyspnea in 41% (n=254), dizziness in 32% (n=322) and syncope in 21.3% (n=132). The most found indication was a complete atrioventricular block in 73.7% (n=457), followed by high-degree AVB in 9.2% (n=57). Sinus dysfunction represented 2.4% of indications (n=15). All devices were purchased by patients themselves or their families without government subsidies. Dual-chamber stimulation was the most used mode in 67.1% (n=416) of the patients. Single-chamber stimulation was also used in 32.9% of cases (n=204). The pacemakers were new in 96.1% of cases (n=596) and reused in 3.9% (n=24). The evolution of our patients was generally favorable. Complications occurred in 4.53% of our patients (n=28); mainly leads dislodgements in 1.94% (n=12), infections in 1.29% (n=8), pocket hematomas in 0.65% (n=4), pneumothorax in 0.65% (n=4).

Conclusion

implantations in Senegal are most often salvage implantations with a predominance of complete atrioventricular blocks over sinus dysfunction. Complications of cardiac pacing in our study were mostly lead dislodgment and infections. The challenges facing cardiac stimulation in our country remain the lack of a national registry for implantation database and above all, a lack of accessibility to pacemakers which may be improved by the availability and use of reused pacemakers but also by the introduction of subsidies for cardiac electronic devices by African governments.

Rhythm abnormalities among hospitalised children in Lagos: a case series

Arrhythmias refer to disturbances in heart rate or rhythm which leads to heart rates that are abnormally fast, slow or irregular. Rhythm abnormalities may be common among Nigerian children but there are only a few reports. The current write up is a clinical review of eight patients in various age groups including neonates, infants and older children. It is presented to highlight the different forms of arrhythmias that can occur in children, with varying underlying aetiology, thus, stressing the need for early recognition of arrhythmias in children, appropriate early intervention and challenges involved in their care.

Early experience with permanent pacemaker implantation at a tertiary hospital in Nigeria

Introduction

artificial pacemakers generate electrical impulses and regulate the heart&acutes conduction system. They are often used to treat individuals with bradycardia. Permanent pacemaker implantation is a lifesaving procedure especially in patients with symptomatic bradyarrhythmias. The objectives was to evaluate the clinical attributes and outcomes of permanent pacemaker implantation in Ile-ife, Nigeria.

Methods

we retrospectively reviewed medical records of 22 patients who had pacemaker implantation from January 2015 to December 2019. Patient´s demographics, clinical presentation, diagnosis, comorbidities, type of device, complications and long-term follow up were studied.

Results

sixteen males (72.7%) and 6 females (27.3%) were recruited into the study with ages ranging between 54 and 84 years and a mean of 70.3 +8.7 years. The commonest symptom was easy fatigability (45.5%) followed by syncope (31.8%). The main indication for permanent pacemaker implantation was complete heart block (86.4%). Seventeen (77.3%) patients had hypertension as the comorbidity present at diagnosis. Single chamber (VVIR) pacemaker was implanted in 13(59.1%) patients while dual chamber (DDDR) was implanted in 9(40.9%) patients. Hematoma, pneumothorax and acute lead dislodgement were the complications observed in 3 patients. There was no statistical significance between the type of device implanted and the occurrence of complications, p-value 0. 186. There was no mortality and 15 patients (68.2%) are currently attending regular 6 monthly follow-up.

Conclusion

complete heart block is the most common indication for permanent pacemaker implantation and the procedure is safe with minimal complications and satisfactory outcomes.

A Systematic Review of the Spectrum of Cardiac Arrhythmias in Sub-Saharan Africa

Major structural cardiovascular diseases are associated with cardiac arrhythmias, but their full spectrum remains unknown in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), which we addressed in this systematic review. Atrial fibrillation/atrial flutter (AF/AFL) prevalence is 16-22% in heart failure, 10-28% in rheumatic heart disease, 3-7% in cardiology admissions, but <1% in the general population. Use of oral anticoagulation is heterogenous (9-79%) across SSA. The epidemiology of sudden cardiac arrest/death is less characterized in SSA. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation is challenging, owing to low awareness and lack of equipment for life-support. About 18% of SSA countries have no cardiac implantable electronic devices services, leaving hundreds of millions of people without any access to treatment for advanced bradyarrhythmias, and implant rates are more than 200-fold lower than in the western world. Management of tachyarrhythmias is largely non-invasive (about 80% AF/AFL via rate-controlled strategy only), as electrophysiological study and catheter ablation centers are almost non-existent in most countries.

Highlights

- Atrial fibrillation/flutter prevalence is 16-22% in heart failure, 10-28% in rheumatic heart disease, 3-7% in cardiology admissions, and <1% in the general population in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).- Rates of oral anticoagulation use for CHA2DS2VASC score ≥2 are very diverse (9-79%) across SSA countries.- Data on sudden cardiac arrest are scant in SSA with low cardiopulmonary resuscitation awareness.- Low rates of cardiac implantable electronic devices insertions and rarity of invasive arrhythmia treatment centers are seen in SSA, relative to the high-income countries.

Cardiac pacing challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa environnement: experience of the Cardiology Department of Teaching Hospital Aristide Le Dantec in Dakar

Background

Cardiac pacing is a growing activity in Sub-Saharan Africa. There is little data on the characteristics of this interventional treatment in our regions. The goal was to evaluate the results of cardiac pacing in a referral service in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods

We carried out a twelve-year retrospective study (from January 1st, 2004 to December 31st, 2015) in the Cardiology Department of Aristide Le Dantec University Hospital. This work included all patients who received definitive cardiac pacing during the study period and followed up in the service.

Results

In total we included 606 patients. There was a growing trend in activity with a peak in 2015 (17%). The average age was 70.6 ± 12.03 years. Some patients (15.4%) came from the subregion. The patients were mostly of medium socio-economic level (53%); 14% were of low socio-economic level. Patients were symptomatic in 85% of cases (37.4% syncope). The indications were dominated by complete atrioventricular block (81.5%); sinus dysfunction accounted for 1.9% of them. A temporary pacemaker was used in 60% of cases for an average duration of 5.1 ± 6.3 days. Antibiotics, local anesthesia and analgesics were used in all cases. Implanted pacemakers were single chamber in 56% of cases and double chamber in 44% of cases. In 39 patients (6.4%), the pacemaker was a « re-used » one. The atrial leads were most often placed in a lateral position (94.5%). The ventricular ones were predominantly tined (95.7%) and more often located at the apical level. Complications were noted in 24 patients (3.9%), dominated by devices externalizations and infections, which together accounted for 2.7% of cases. The number of people in the cathlab was significantly higher and the duration of the temporary pacemaker was longer for patients who had a complication. There was no significant difference depending on the type of pacemaker used (new or reused). Seven (7) in hospital death cases were reported.

Conclusion

Cardiac pacing is a growing activity in Dakar.

Late mortality after cardiac interventions over 10-year period in two Cameroonian government-owned hospitals

Background

Cardiac surgery is a growing activity in Sub-Saharan Africa, however, data related to long-term mortality are scarce. We aimed to analyze outcome data of cardiac interventions in two hospitals in Cameroon over 10 years' period.

Methods

we conducted a retrospective analytical and descriptive study at the Douala General Hospital and Yaoundé General Hospital. All patients operated between January 2007 and December 2017, or their families were contacted by phone between January and April 2018 for a free of charges medical examination.

Results

Of a total of 98 patients operated during the study period, 8 (8.2%) were lost to follow-up. Finally, 90 patients [49 (54.4%) women and 41 (45.6%)] men were included. The mean age was 49±22 years (range, 13-89 years). The surgical indications were valvular heart diseases in 37 (41.1%) cases, congenital heart diseases in 11 (12.2%) cases, chronic constrictive pericarditis in 4 (4.4%) cases, and intra cardiac tumor in 1 (1.1%) case. Valve replacement was the most common type of surgery carried out in 37 (41.1%) cases-mostly with mechanical prosthesis. Pacemaker-mostly dual-chambers were implanted in 36 (40.0%) patients. The median follow-up was 26 months. The overall late mortality was 5.7%, and the overall survival rates at 5 and 10 years were 95.5% and 94.4% respectively. The overall survival rates at 5 and 10 years for mechanical valve prosthesis were 93.3% and 90% respectively. The survival at 10 years was 100% for patients with bioprosthesis. The survival rates at 10 years were 94.1% and 100% respectively for dual and single chamber pacemaker.

Conclusions

Long-term outcome of cardiac surgery in hospitals in Cameroon are acceptable with low mortality rate. However, outcome metrics beyond mortality should be implemented for a prospective data collection.

Arrhythmia care in Africa

Data on cardiovascular disease, including arrhythmias, in Africa is limited. However, the burden of cardiovascular disease appears to be on the rise. Recent global data suggests an increase in atrial fibrillation rates despite declining rates of rheumatic heart disease. Atrial fibrillation is also associated with increased mortality in Africa. Current management with medical therapy is sub-optimal and ablation procedures, inaccessible. Atrial fibrillation is also an independent risk factor for death in patients with rheumatic heart disease. Sudden cardiac deaths from ventricular arrhythmias are under-recognized and inadequately treated with very high rates out of hospital cardiac arrest due to poor education of the general public on cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills and lack of essential healthcare infrastructure. Use of cardiac devices such as implantable defibrillators and pacemakers is low with significant regional variations and is almost non-existent in sub-Saharan Africa. There is a great unmet need for arrhythmia diagnosis and management in Africa. Governments and healthcare stakeholders need to include cardiovascular disease as a healthcare priority given the rising burden of disease and associated mortality.

The challenges of cardiothoracic surgery practice in Nigeria: a 12 years institutional experience

BACKGROUND

Although the specialty of cardiothoracic surgery has been practiced in Nigeria for many years, open heart surgery (OHS) has only in the last decade become relatively more frequent, mainly through visiting foreign cardiac surgical teams. At this early phase of development it is faced with multiple challenges, especially financing and local skilled manpower for which solutions have to be identified in order to ensure sustainability and future growth. This study is aimed at highlighting these obstacles to growth of cardiothoracic surgery based on our own institutional experience at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) and the current status of OHS activity in other cardiothoracic centers in Nigeria.

METHODS

Prospectively acquired data from our center from March 2004 to December 2015 was reviewed. A telephone survey was also conducted with all other institutions in Nigeria performing cardiac surgery.

RESULTS

During the study period 1,520 patients underwent various procedures with a mean age of 37±22.4 years and 813 (53.5%) were males. There were 450 major procedures (29.6%), 889 minor procedures (58.5%) and 181 endoscopic procedures (11.9%). The top ten clinical diagnoses were empyema thoracis (17.5%), malignant pleural effusion (14.7%), chest trauma (12%), hemodialysis access (6.1%), bradyarrhythmia (5.3%), aerodigestive foreign bodies (4.1%), vascular injury (3.9%), pericardial disease (3.8%), lung cancer (3.6%) and congenital heart disease (3.4%). The range of procedures was chest tube insertion (41.6%), endoscopy (11.9%), lung procedures (7%), arterio-venous fistula (6.1%), pacemaker implantation (5.3%), vascular repair (4.4%), OHS (3.4%), esophageal procedures (2.6%), chest wall surgery (2%), video assisted thoracic surgery (2%), closed heart surgery (1.6%), diaphragmatic procedures (1.6%) and thymectomy (1%). Survey of 15 centers in Nigeria with cardiac surgery activity showed a total of 496 OHS cases between 1974 and 2016, with 330 cases (66.5%) done between 2012 and 2016.

CONCLUSIONS

Infections, malignancy and trauma currently account for the bulk of cardiothoracic surgery practice in Nigeria, with surgical activity showing a predominance of minor procedures and comparatively minimal OHS activities. Identified challenges to increasing cardiothoracic surgical activity were limitations in manpower development, infrastructure, laboratory support, local availability of consumables, cost of surgery, funding mechanisms for surgery, multiple models for development of cardiac surgery, decentralization of efforts and lack of outcome data. Data collection and reporting of results must be started to enable development of more evidence-based practice.