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Background: Atrial fibrillation is associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality. There's limited data on the outcomes of atrial fibrillation patients in Africa. We aimed at evaluating the clinical outcomes and their associated factors in patients with atrial fibrillation on antithrombotic therapy in Douala., Methods: The Douala atrial fibrillation registry is a prospective, observational cohort study of patients with atrial fibrillation followed by cardiovascular specialists in 3 specialized care centres. From January to April 2018, all patients with electrocardiographic diagnosis of atrial fibrillation, aged 21 years or older, were included in the registry provided their consent. The composite endpoint of heart failure, stroke, major bleeding, hospitalisation and mortality as well as their individual occurrence were assessed at 12 months., Results: Of 113 participants that were included, 6(5.3%) were lost to follow-up. The mean age was 70 ± 12 years, with a female predominance (68%). After a mean follow-up time of 12.2 ± 0.7 months, 51 patients (47.7%) had at least one outcome. Hospitalisation, all-cause mortality, heart failure, stroke and major bleeding rates were 33.3%, 16.8%, 15.2%, 4.8% and 2.9% respectively. There was no significant difference in the composite outcome and mortality according to the antithrombotic treatment. Previous heart failure [aHR = 3.07, 95% CI (1.48-6.36) p = 0.003], new onset atrial fibrillation [aHR= 4.00, 95% CI (0.96-8.19) p < 0.001] and paroxystic atrial fibrillation [aHR= 3.74, 95% CI (1.33-10.53) p = 0.013] were significant predictors of outcome., Conclusion: Half of patients with atrial fibrillation in this registry developed an outcome after one year of follow-up, with heart failure, new onset and paroxystic atrial fibrillation being the main predicting factors. Diagnosing and managing atrial fibrillation in patients with heart disease should therefore be considered as a key priority., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no competing interest., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Importance: Most epidemiological studies of heart failure (HF) have been conducted in high-income countries with limited comparable data from middle- or low-income countries., Objective: To examine differences in HF etiology, treatment, and outcomes between groups of countries at different levels of economic development., Design, Setting, and Participants: Multinational HF registry of 23 341 participants in 40 high-income, upper-middle-income, lower-middle-income, and low-income countries, followed up for a median period of 2.0 years., Main Outcomes and Measures: HF cause, HF medication use, hospitalization, and death., Results: Mean (SD) age of participants was 63.1 (14.9) years, and 9119 (39.1%) were female. The most common cause of HF was ischemic heart disease (38.1%) followed by hypertension (20.2%). The proportion of participants with HF with reduced ejection fraction taking the combination of a β-blocker, renin-angiotensin system inhibitor, and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist was highest in upper-middle-income (61.9%) and high-income countries (51.1%), and it was lowest in low-income (45.7%) and lower-middle-income countries (39.5%) (P < .001). The age- and sex- standardized mortality rate per 100 person-years was lowest in high-income countries (7.8 [95% CI, 7.5-8.2]), 9.3 (95% CI, 8.8-9.9) in upper-middle-income countries, 15.7 (95% CI, 15.0-16.4) in lower-middle-income countries, and it was highest in low-income countries (19.1 [95% CI, 17.6-20.7]). Hospitalization rates were more frequent than death rates in high-income countries (ratio = 3.8) and in upper-middle-income countries (ratio = 2.4), similar in lower-middle-income countries (ratio = 1.1), and less frequent in low-income countries (ratio = 0.6). The 30-day case-fatality rate after first hospital admission was lowest in high-income countries (6.7%), followed by upper-middle-income countries (9.7%), then lower-middle-income countries (21.1%), and highest in low-income countries (31.6%). The proportional risk of death within 30 days of a first hospital admission was 3- to 5-fold higher in lower-middle-income countries and low-income countries compared with high-income countries after adjusting for patient characteristics and use of long-term HF therapies., Conclusions and Relevance: This study of HF patients from 40 different countries and derived from 4 different economic levels demonstrated differences in HF etiologies, management, and outcomes. These data may be useful in planning approaches to improve HF prevention and treatment globally.

Objectives: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in adults with heart failure (HF) and summarise the all-cause mortality ratio among adult patients with coexisting HF and AF in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)., Setting: This was a systematic review and meta-analysis of cross-sectional and cohort studies with primary data on the prevalence and incidence of AF among patients with HF and the all-cause mortality ratio among patients with HF and AF in SSA. We combined text words and MeSH terms to search MEDLINE, PubMed and Global Health Library through Ovid SP, African Journals Online and African Index Medicus from database inception to 10 November 2021. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to estimate pooled prevalence., Primary Outcome Measures: The prevalence and incidence of AF among patients with HF, and the all-cause mortality ratio among patients with HF and AF., Results: Twenty-seven of the 1902 records retrieved from database searches were included in the review, totalling 9987 patients with HF. The pooled prevalence of AF among patients with HF was 15.6% (95% CI 12.0% to 19.6%). At six months, the all-cause mortality was 18.4% (95% CI 13.1% to 23.6%) in a multinational registry and 67.7% (95% CI 51.1% to 74.3%) in one study in Tanzania. The one-year mortality was 48.6% (95% CI 32.5% to 64.7%) in a study in the Democratic Republic of Congo. We did not find any study reporting the incidence of AF in HF., Conclusion: AF is common among patients with HF in SSA, and patients with AF and HF have poor survival. There is an urgent need for large-scale population-based prospective data to reliably estimate the prevalence, incidence and risk of mortality of AF among HF patients in SSA to better understand the burden of AF in patients with HF in the region., Prospero Registration Number: CRD42018087564., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Introduction: pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a common and severe complication in patients with heart failure (HF). It is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. There is limited data in Cameroon on the prevalence of PH in hospitalized HF patients and its impact on outcome., Methods: we analyzed data from consecutive adult patients hospitalized with. Pulmonary hypertension (PH) was defined as pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) ≥ 35mmHg., Results: eighty-six (86) consecutive patients were hospitalized and 66(76.7%) had measurable PASP on echocardiography. Of those with echocardiographically measurable PASP (66), there were 39 (59.1%) females. The median (IQR) age was 60 (42-76) years. The prevalence of PH was 93.9%. PH was present in all (100%) patients with right heart failure (RHF) and in 62 (93.9%) patients with left heart failure (LHF). Severe PH (PASP ≥55 mmHg) was seen in 45 (68.2%, [95% CI: 55.6-75.1]) patients. The mean PASP was significantly higher in those with isolated RHF compared with those who had isolated left or bi-ventricular failure. Factors likely associated with moderate-to-severe PH (PASP ≥ 45 mmHg) were female sex, RHF, and right atrial dilatation. After adjusting for sex, right atrial dilation was independently associated with moderate-to-severe PH. In-hospital death occurred in 7 (10.6%, [95% CI: 4.4-20.6]) patients. The median (IQR) time to death was 6 (3-7) days and ranged from 2 to 8 days. All deaths (100%) occurred in those with moderate-to-severe PH., Conclusion: the prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in hospitalized heart failure patients was high with two third of the patients having severe PH, and most commonly occurred in females. All deaths occurred in patients with moderate-to-severe PH., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright: Clovis Nkoke et al.)

Background: Kidney dysfunction is common in patients with heart failure (HF) and has been associated with poor outcomes. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, correlates, and prognosis of kidney dysfunction in patients with HF in Cameroon, an understudied population., Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study in consecutive patients hospitalized with HF between June 2016 and November 2017 in the Buea Regional Hospital, Cameroon. Kidney dysfunction was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 ml/min/1.73m 2 . Prognostic outcomes included death and prolonged hospital stay (> 7 days). We also performed a sensitivity analysis excluding racial considerations., Results: Seventy four patients (86.1% of those eligible) were included. Their median age was 60 (interquartile range: 44-72) years and 46.0% (n = 34) were males. Half of patients (n = 37) had kidney dysfunction. Correlates of kidney dysfunction included previous diagnosis of HF (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]4.3, 95% CI: 1.1-17.5) and left ventricular hypertrophy (aOR3.4, 95% CI: 1.1-9.9). Thirty-six (48.9%) had prolonged hospital stay, and seven (9.5%) patients died in hospital. Kidney dysfunction was not associated with in-hospital death (aOR 0.4, 95% CI: 0.1-2) nor prolonged hospital stay (aOR 2.04, 0.8-5.3). In sensitivity analysis (excluding racial consideration), factors associated with Kidney dysfunction in HF were; anemia (aOR: 3.0, 95% CI: 1.1-8.5), chronic heart failure (aOR: 4.7, 95% CI: 0.9-24.6), heart rate on admission < 90 bpm (aOR: 3.4, 95% CI: 1.1-9.1), left atrial dilation (aOR: 3.2, 95% CI: 1.04-10), and hypertensive heart disease (aOR: 3.1, 95% CI: 1.2-8.4). Kidney dysfunction in HF was associated with hospital stay > 7 days (OR: 2.6, 95% CI: 1-6.8)., Conclusion: Moderate-to-severe kidney dysfunction was seen in half of the patients hospitalized with HF in our setting, and this was associated with a previous diagnosis of HF and left ventricular hypertrophy. Kidney dysfunction might not be the main driver of poor HF outcomes in this population. In sensitivity analysis, this was associated with anemia, chronic heart failure, heart rate on admission less than 90 bpm, left atrial dilatation, and hypertensive heart disease. Kidney dysfunction was associated with hospital stay > 7 days., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Background: Poor health-related quality of life (HRQL) is common in heart failure (HF), but there are few data on HRQL in HF and the association between HRQL and mortality outside Western countries., Methods: We used the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire-12 (KCCQ-12) to record HRQL in 23 291 patients with HF from 40 countries in 8 different world regions in the G-CHF study (Global Congestive Heart Failure). We compared standardized KCCQ-12 summary scores (adjusted for age, sex, and markers of HF severity) among regions (scores range from 0 to 100, with higher score indicating better HRQL). We used multivariable Cox regression with adjustment for 15 variables to assess the association between KCCQ-12 summary scores and the composite of all-cause death, HF hospitalization, and each component over a median follow-up of 1.6 years., Results: The mean age of participants was 65 years; 61% were men; 40% had New York Heart Association class III or IV symptoms; and 46% had left ventricular ejection fraction ≥40%. Average HRQL differed between regions (lowest in Africa [mean± SE, 39.5±0.3], highest in Western Europe [62.5±0.4]). There were 4460 (19%) deaths, 3885 (17%) HF hospitalizations, and 6949 (30%) instances of either event. Lower KCCQ-12 summary score was associated with higher risk of all outcomes; the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for each 10-unit KCCQ-12 summary score decrement was 1.18 (95% CI, 1.17-1.20) for death. Although this association was observed in all regions, it was less marked in South Asia, South America, and Africa (weakest association in South Asia: HR, 1.08 [95% CI, 1.03-1.14]; strongest association in Eastern Europe: HR, 1.31 [95% CI, 1.21-1.42]; interaction P <0.0001). Lower HRQL predicted death in patients with New York Heart Association class I or II and III or IV symptoms (HR, 1.17 [95% CI, 1.14-1.19] and HR, 1.14 [95% CI, 1.12-1.17]; interaction P =0.13) and was a stronger predictor for the composite outcome in New York Heart Association class I or II versus class III or IV (HR 1.15 [95% CI, 1.13-1.17] versus 1.09 [95% CI, [1.07-1.11]; interaction P <0.0001). HR for death was greater in ejection fraction ≥40 versus <40% (HR, 1.23 [95% CI, 1.20-1.26] and HR, 1.15 [95% CI, 1.13-1.17]; interaction P <0.0001)., Conclusion: HRQL is a strong and independent predictor of all-cause death and HF hospitalization across all geographic regions, in mildly and severe symptomatic HF, and among patients with preserved and reduced ejection fraction. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03078166.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) has progressively moved from an orphan disease to a significant global health problem with a major disease burden in limited7hyphen;resource countries, where over 97% of patients live. The aetiologies of PH differ between high- and low-income nations, but PH due to left heart disease is credited to be the most frequent contemporary form. Although a straightforward diagnosis of PH requires the use of right heart catheterisation (RHC), access to equipment for RHC is a deterrent. Furthermore, the risk associated with RHC limits its uptake to a selection of specialised centres. Moreover, the rigour and clinical reasoning for diagnosis in clinical medicine is rapidly changing and revealing that PH can complicate a diverse range of medical conditions needing other explorations. In this article, we provide for the busy clinician, a simplified diagnostic algorithm for PH that is relevant for making a correct early diagnosis and limiting the impact of PH.

Introduction: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is the commonest cause of valvular heart disease and a common cause of heart failure in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Atrial fibrillation (AF) complicates RHD, precipitates and worsens heart failure and cause unfavourable outcomes. We set out to describe the prevalence, clinical characteristics and outcomes of valvular atrial fibrillation in a cohort of African patients with acute heart failure (AHF)., Methods: The sub-Saharan Africa Survey of Heart Failure (THESUS-HF) was a prospective, observational survey of AHF in nine countries. We collected demographic data, medical history and signs and symptoms of HF. Electrocardiograms (ECGs) were done in a standard fashion. AF was defined as either a history of AF or AF on the admission ECG. Using Cox regression models, we examined the associations of AF with all-cause death over 180 days and a composite endpoint of all-cause death or readmission over 60 days., Results: There were 1 006 patients in the registry. The mean age was 52.3 years and 50.8% were women. AF was present in 209 (20.8%) cases. Those with AF were older (57.1 vs 51.1 years), more likely to be female (57.4 vs 49.1%), had significantly lower systolic (125 vs 132 mmHg) and diastolic (81 vs 85 mmHg) blood pressure (BP), and higher heart rates (109 vs 102 bpm). Ninety-two (44%) AF patients had valvular heart disease. The presence of AF was not associated with the primary endpoints, but having valvular AF predicted death within 180 days., Conclusions: AF was present in one-fifth of African patients with AHF. Almost half of the AF patients had valvular disease (RHD) and were significantly younger and at risk of dying within six months. It is important to identify these high-risk patients and prioritise their management, especially in SSA where resources are limited.

Background: Symptoms and signs of heart failure (HF) are the most common reasons for admission to hospital for acute HF (AHF) and are used routinely throughout admission to assess the severity of disease and response to therapy., Methods and Results: The data were collected in The Sub-Saharan Africa Survey on Heart Failure (THESUS-HF) study, a prospective, multicenter, observational survey of AHF from 9 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. A total of 1006 patients, ≥12 years of age, hospitalized for AHF were recruited. Symptoms and signs of HF and changes in dyspnea and well-being, relative to admission, were assessed at entry and on days 1, 2, and 7 (or on discharge if earlier) and included oxygen saturation, degree of edema and rales, body weight, and level of orthopnea. The patient determined dyspnea and general well-being, whereas the physician determined symptoms and signs of HF, as well as improvements in vital sign measurement, throughout the admission. After multivariable adjustment, baseline rales and changes to day 7 or discharge in general well-being predicted death or HF hospitalization through day 60, and baseline orthopnea, edema, rales, oxygen saturation, and changes to day 7 or on discharge in respiratory rate and general well-being were predictive of death through day 180., Conclusions: In AHF patients in sub-Saharan Africa, symptoms and signs of HF improve throughout admission, and simple assessments, including edema, rales, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, and asking the patient about general well-being, are valuable tools in patients' clinical assessment., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The Pan-African Society of Cardiology roadmap aims to achieve a 25% control of hypertension by the year 2025. Whether this is attainable or not depends largely on the capacity of healthcare providers and policy makers to address the rising prevalence of hypertension and its complications, including heart failure. Task sharing is fundamental in optimising hypertension control. The Clinical Research Education, Networking and Consultancy (CRENC) engaged with the Pan-African Society of Cardiology (PASCAR) and the Cameroon Cardiac Society (SCC) in a joint hypertension and heart failure symposium at the Douala General Hospital in 2016. The primary aims were to foster clinical research in cardiovascular medicine by raising awareness on cardiovascular diseases, to provide evidence-based training of an international standard, to encourage the conduction and dissemination of high-quality research, and to build programmes for continuing medical education. The secondary aim was to potentiate the 2nd Douala Research and Scientific Days. The symposium, which featured didactic lectures interspaced with oral/poster abstract presentations and a clinical visit, culminated in the launching of the book Heart of Africa, and the Young Investigator award. It is hoped that these served to capacitate existing cardiovascular structures, breed the next generation of cardiovascular physicians and researchers, and imprint a trail of clinical research excellence to be emulated in Cameroon and beyond.

Background: The role of echocardiography in the risk stratification of acute heart failure (HF) is unknown. Some small studies and retrospective analyses have found little change in echocardiographic variables during admission for acute HF and some echocardiographic parameters were not found to be associated with outcomes. It is unknown which echocardiographic variables will predict outcomes in sub-Saharan African patients admitted with acute HF. Using echocardiograms, this study aimed to determine the predictors of death and re-admissions within 60 days and deaths up to 180 days in patients with acute heart failure., Methods: Out of the 1 006 patients in the THESUS-HF registry, 954 had had an echocardiogram performed within a few weeks of admission. Echocardiographic measurements were performed according to the American Society of Echocardiography guidelines. We examined the associations between each echocardiographic predictor and outcome using regression models., Results: Heart rate and left atrial size predicted death within 60 days or re-admission. Heart rate, left ventricular posterior wall thickness in diastole (PWTd), and presence of aortic stenosis were associated with the risk of death within 180 days. PTWd added to clinical variables in predicting 180-day mortality rates., Conclusions: Echocardiographic variables, especially those of left ventricular size and function, were not found to have additional predictive value in patients admitted for acute HF. Left atrial size, aortic stenosis, heart rate and measures of hypertrophy (LV PWTd) had some predictive value, suggesting the importance of early treatment of hypertension and severe valvular heart disease.

Aims: Patients with acute heart failure (HF) in Africa are rarely being treated with a hydralazine/nitrates combination. Therefore the effect of this treatment was studied here., Methods and Results: The study was planned to enrol 500 patients during an acute HF admission, from nine sub-Saharan African countries. Patients were randomized in a double-blind manner to receive 50 mg hydralazine/20 mg isosorbide dinitrate (HYIS) t.i.d. or matching placebo for 24 weeks followed by open label HYIS for all patients. The study was terminated after 147 patients were enrolled due mostly to issues with recruitment into a prospective, placebo-controlled study. Most patients were recruited from Mozambique, South Africa, Kenya, and Uganda. The primary endpoint of death or HF readmission through 24 weeks was neutral [hazard ratio (HR) 1.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.48-2.27, P = 0.90] in the 133 randomized patients included in the analyses. There were non-signficant effects in favour of HYIS in secondary endpoints including change in dyspnoea severity at day 7 or discharge, decrease in systolic blood pressure, greater decrease in weight, and increase in 6-min walk test distance at week 24. There were also small changes in echocardiographic indices of cardiac size and function in favour or HYIS, but none was significant., Conclusion: The BA-HEF trial demonstrated challenges in recruiting the expected number of patients with acute HF in a number of African countries, which highlights the need for strategic logistic support., Trial Registration: NCT01822808., (© 2016 The Authors. European Journal of Heart Failure © 2016 European Society of Cardiology.)

Introduction: Heart failure (HF) is the final common pathway for most cardiovascular disease (CVDs). Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major contributor to CVD burden and an independent predictor of mortality in patients with HF. However, the epidemiology of DM in African patients with HF is less well described. The current proposal is for a systematic review to assess the prevalence of DM in HF and the determinants of disease in patients with diabetes and HF in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)., Methods and Analysis: A systematic search of published literature will be conducted for observational studies on the prevalence of DM in HF and risk factors of HF in these patients in SSA. Databases including MEDLINE, Google Scholar, SCOPUS and Africa Wide Information will be searched from January 1995 to February 2016. Screening of identified articles and data extraction will be conducted independently by two investigators. Risk of bias and methodological quality of the included studies will be assessed using a Risk of Bias tool and STROBE checklist. Appropriate meta-analytic techniques will be used to pool prevalence estimates from studies with similar features, overall and by major subgroups. Heterogeneity of the estimates across studies will be assessed and quantified and publication bias investigated. This protocol is reported according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015 guidelines., Ethics and Dissemination: The proposed study will utilise published data; as such there is no requirement for ethical approval. The resulting manuscript will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. This review will identify the knowledge gaps as well as inform policymakers in the region on the contemporary burden of DM in patients with HF., Trial Registration Number: CRD42015026410., (Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/)

Background: The impact of gender on the clinical characteristics, risk factors, co-morbidities, etiology, treatment and outcome of acute heart failure in sub-Saharan Africa has not been described before. The aim of this study was to evaluate the sex differences in acute heart failure in sub-Saharan Africa using the data from The sub-Saharan Africa Survey of Heart Failure (THESUS-HF)., Methods and Results: 1,006 subjects were recruited into this prospective multicenter, international observational heart failure survey. The mean age of total population was 52.4 years (54.0 years for men and 50.7 years for women). The men were significantly older (p = 0.0045). Men also presented in poorer NYHA functional class (III and IV), p = 0.0364). Cigarette smoking and high blood pressure were significantly commoner in men (17.3 vs. 2.6% and 60.0 vs. 51.0% respectively). On the other hand, atrial fibrillation and valvular heart disease were significantly more frequent in women. The mean hemoglobin concentration was lower in women compared to men (11.7 vs. 12.6 g/dl, p ≤ 0.0001), while the blood urea and creatinine levels were higher in men (p < 0.0001). LV systolic dysfunctional was also seen more in men. Men also had higher E/A ratio indicating higher LV filling pressure. Outcomes were similar in both sexes., Conclusions: Although the outcome of patients admitted for AHF in sub-Saharan regions is similar in men and women, some gender differences are apparent suggesting that in men more emphasis should be put on modifiable life risk factors, while in women prevention of rheumatic heart diseases and improved nutrition should be addressed vigorously.

Objectives: Left heart disease (LHD) is the main cause of pulmonary hypertension (PH), but little is known regarding the predictors of adverse outcome of PH associated with LHD (PH-LHD). We conducted a systematic review to investigate the predictors of hospitalisations for heart failure and mortality in patients with PH-LHD., Design: Systematic review., Data Sources: PubMed MEDLINE and SCOPUS from inception to August 2013 were searched, and citations identified via the ISI Web of Science., Study Selection: Studies that reported on hospitalisation and/or mortality in patients with PH-LHD were included if the age of participants was greater than 18 years and PH was diagnosed using Doppler echocardiography and/or right heart catheterisation. Two reviewers independently selected studies, assessed their quality and extracted relevant data., Results: In all, 45 studies (38 from Europe and USA) were included among which 71.1% were of high quality. 39 studies were published between 2003 and 2013. The number of participants across studies ranged from 46 to 2385; the proportion of men from 21% to 91%; mean/median age from 63 to 82 years; and prevalence of PH from 7% to 83.3%. PH was consistently associated with increased mortality risk in all forms of LHD, except for aortic valve disease where findings were inconsistent. Six of the nine studies with data available on hospitalisations reported a significant adverse effect of PH on hospitalisation risk. Other predictors of adverse outcome were very broad and heterogeneous including right ventricular dysfunction, functional class, left ventricular function and presence of kidney disease., Conclusions: PH is almost invariably associated with increased mortality risk in patients with LHD. However, effects on hospitalisation risk are yet to be fully characterised; while available evidence on the adverse effects of PH have been derived essentially from Caucasians., (Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.)

Aims: In Western countries with typically elderly ischaemic acute heart failure patients, predictors and clinical outcome of renal dysfunction and worsening renal function are well described. However, the prevalence, predictors and clinical outcome of renal dysfunction in younger, mainly hypertensive acute heart failure patients from Africa, have not been described., Methods and Results: From 1006 patients enrolled in the sub-Saharan Africa Survey of Heart Failure (THESUS-HF), renal function was determined by the estimated glomerular filtration rate using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula. Worsening renal function was defined as an increase in creatinine ≤0.3 mg/dL (26.5 µmol/L) from baseline to day 7/discharge. The mean (SD) age of the patients was 52.4 (18.2) years, 481 (50.8%) were women and the predominant race was black African [932 of 946 (98.5%)]. Heart failure was most commonly a result of hypertension (n = 363, 39.5%) and only 7.8% had ischaemic heart failure. At hospital admission, 289 patients (30.6%) had an estimated glomerular filtration rate ≤60 ml/min.1.73 m2 . Worsening renal function during hospitalization was detected in 53 (9.8 %) of 543 patients with a follow-up creatinine value, and was independently associated with the Western sub-Saharan region, body mass index, and the presence of rales. Worsening renal function was an independent predictor of death or readmission over 60 days [multivariable hazard ratio = 2.06 (1.10, 3.38); P = 0.023] and all-cause death over 180 days [multivariable hazard ratio =1.92 (1.08, 3.38); P = 0.025]., Conclusions: Renal dysfunction is also prevalent in younger non-ischaemic acute heart failure patients in Africa, but worsening renal function is less prevalent and has different predictors compared with Western cohorts. Nevertheless, worsening renal function is strongly and independently related with clinical outcome., (© 2014 The Authors. European Journal of Heart Failure © 2014 European Society of Cardiology.)

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the predictive utility of 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) abnormalities among Africans with acute heart failure (HF)., Methods and Results: We used the Sub-Saharan Africa Survey of Heart Failure, a multicenter prospective cohort study of 1,006 acute HF patients, and regression models to relate baseline ECG findings to all-cause mortality and readmission during a 6-month follow-up period. Of 814 ECGs available, 523 (49.0% male) were obtained within 15 days of admission, among which 97.7% showed abnormalities. Mean age was 52.0 years and median follow-up was 180 days, with 77 deaths (Kaplan-Meier 17.5%) through day 180 and 63 patients with death or readmission to day 60. QRS width, QT duration, bundle branch block, and ischemic changes were not associated with outcomes. Increasing ventricular rate was associated with increasing risk of both outcomes (hazard ratio [HR] 1.07 per 5 beats/min increase for 60-day death or readmission, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.12; P = .0047), and the presence of sinus rhythm was associated with lower risk (HR 0.58, 95% CI 0.34-0.97; P = .0385). There was a strong association between survival and heart rate in patients in sinus rhythm, with heart rate >119 beats/min conveying the worst mortality risk., Conclusions: ECG abnormalities are almost universal among Africans with acute HF, which may add to the immediate diagnosis of patients presenting with dyspnea. Although some ECG findings have prognostic value for risk of adverse outcomes, most of them are nonspecific and add little to the risk stratification of these patients., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aims: Contrary to elderly patients with ischaemic-related acute heart failure (AHF) typically enrolled in North American and European registries, patients enrolled in the sub-Saharan Africa Survey of Heart Failure (THESUS-HF) were middle-aged with AHF due primarily to non-ischaemic causes. We sought to describe factors prognostic of re-admission and death in this developing population., Methods and Results: Prognostic models were developed from data collected on 1006 patients enrolled in THESUS-HF, a prospective registry of AHF patients in 12 hospitals in nine sub-Saharan African countries, mostly in Nigeria, Uganda, and South Africa. The main predictors of 60-day re-admission or death in a model excluding the geographic region were a history of malignancy and severe lung disease, admission systolic blood pressure, heart rate and signs of congestion (rales), kidney function (BUN), and echocardiographic ejection fraction. In a model including region, the Southern region had a higher risk. Age and admission sodium levels were not prognostic. Predictors of 180-day mortality included malignancy, severe lung disease, smoking history, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, and symptoms and signs of congestion (orthopnoea, peripheral oedema and rales) at admission, kidney dysfunction (BUN), anaemia, and HIV positivity. Discrimination was low for all models, similar to models for European and North American patients, suggesting that the main factors contributing to adverse outcomes are still unknown., Conclusion: Despite the differences in age and disease characteristics, the main predictors for 6 months mortality and combined 60 days re-admission and death are largely similar in sub-Saharan Africa as in the rest of the world, with some exceptions such as the association of the HIV status with mortality.

Background: Acute heart failure (AHF) in sub-Saharan Africa has not been well characterized. Therefore, we sought to describe the characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of patients admitted with AHF in sub-Saharan Africa., Methods: The Sub-Saharan Africa Survey of Heart Failure (THESUS-HF) was a prospective, multicenter, observational survey of patients with AHF admitted to 12 university hospitals in 9 countries. Among patients presenting with AHF, we determined the causes, treatment, and outcomes during 6 months of follow-up., Results: From July 1, 2007, to June 30, 2010, we enrolled 1006 patients presenting with AHF. Mean (SD) age was 52.3 (18.3) years, 511 (50.8%) were women, and the predominant race was black African (984 of 999 [98.5%]). Mean (SD) left ventricular ejection fraction was 39.5% (16.5%). Heart failure was most commonly due to hypertension (n = 453 [45.4%]) and rheumatic heart disease (n = 143 [14.3%]). Ischemic heart disease (n = 77 [7.7%]) was not a common cause of AHF. Concurrent renal dysfunction (estimated glomerular filtration rate, <30 mL/min/173 m(2)), diabetes mellitus, anemia (hemoglobin level, <10 g/dL), and atrial fibrillation were found in 73 (7.7%), 114 (11.4%), 147 (15.2%), and 184 cases (18.3%), respectively; 65 of 500 patients undergoing testing (13.0%) were seropositive for the human immunodeficiency virus. The median hospital stay was 7 days (interquartile range, 5-10), with an in-hospital mortality of 4.2%. Estimated 180-day mortality was 17.8% (95% CI, 15.4%-20.6%). Most patients were treated with renin-angiotensin system blockers but not β-blockers at discharge. Hydralazine hydrochloride and nitrates were rarely used., Conclusions: In African patients, AHF has a predominantly nonischemic cause, most commonly hypertension. The condition occurs in middle-aged adults, equally in men and women, and is associated with high mortality. The outcome is similar to that observed in non-African AHF registries, suggesting that AHF has a dire prognosis globally, regardless of the cause.

Background: Information on clinical characteristics of heart failure (HF) among Africans with hypertension is needed to help define the burden of hypertension in this population, but currently there is little data available., Aims: To determine the clinical characteristics of HF, related risk factors and co-morbidities among adult Cameroonians treated for hypertension., Methods and Results: Medical files of 1218 patients with hypertension followed at the cardiac clinic of Yaounde General Hospital were evaluated over a 10-year period from 1995 to 2005. One hundred and forty (11.5%) patients with clinical HF or asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction were included in the present analysis. Ages ranged from 26 to 84 years (mean 54.9 years) and 86 (61.4%) were men. Systolic dysfunction and isolated diastolic HF were found in 64% and 23% of patients, respectively. Seventy nine (56.4%) patients had at least one co-morbidity and 43 (30.7%) had multiple co-morbidities. Co-morbidities included: renal impairment (24.3%), overweight and obesity (20.7%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (17.1%), gout (16.4%), anaemia (15.7), diabetes mellitus (13.5%), atrial fibrillation (12.9%), stroke (9.3%), and ischaemic heart disease (5.7%)., Conclusions: HF is frequent among Cameroonian patients treated for hypertension and is regularly associated with co-morbidities. Efforts are needed to improve the control of hypertension and enhance early detection of these co-morbidities in this context.

Purpose: Heart failure is the ultimate complication of cardiac involvements in diabetes. The purpose of this review was to summarize current literature on heart failure among people with diabetes mellitus in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA)., Method: Bibliographic search of published data on heart failure and diabetes in sub-Saharan Africa over the past 26 years., Results: Heart failure remains largely unexplored in general population and among people with diabetes in Africa. Heart failure accounts for over 30% of hospital admission in specialized cardiovascular units and 3%-7% in general internal medicine. Over 11% of adults with heart failure have diabetes. Risk factors for heart failure among those with diabetes include classical cardiovascular risk factors, without evidence of diabetes distinctiveness for other predictors common in Africa. Prevention, management, and outcomes of heart failure are less well known; recent data suggest improvement in the management of risk factors in clinical settings., Conclusions: Diabetes mellitus is growing in SSA. Related cardiovascular diseases are emerging as potential health problem. Heart failure as cardiovascular complication remains largely unexplored. Efforts are needed through research to improve our knowledge of heart failure at large in Africa. Multilevel preventive measures, building on evidences from other parts of the world must go along side.

Background Data characterizing risk factors and long-term outcome studies on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated pulmonary hypertension (PH) in Africa are lacking. Methods The Pan African Pulmonary Hypertension Cohort, a multinational registry of 254 consecutive patients diagnosed with PH (97% of African descent) from 9 centers in 4 African countries was implemented. We compared baseline characteristics and 3-year survival of an HIV-infected cohort newly diagnosed with PH (PH/HIV+) to an HIV-uninfected cohort with PH (PH/HIV−). Results One hundred thirty-four participants with PH completed follow up (47 PH/HIV+ and 87 PH/HIV−; age median, 36 versus 44 years; P =.0004). Cardiovascular risk factors and comorbidities were similar except for previous tuberculosis (62% versus 18%, P <.0001). Six-minute walk distance (6MWD) <300 meters was common in PH/HIV− (P =.0030), but PH/HIV+ had higher heart (P =.0160) and respiratory (P =.0374) rates. Thirty-six percent of PH/HIV+ and 15% of PH/HIV− presented with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) (P =.0084), whereas 36% of PH/HIV+ and 72% of PH/HIV− exhibited PH due to left heart disease (PHLHD) (P =.0009). Pulmonary hypertension due to lung diseases and hypoxia (PHLD) was frequent in PH/HIV+ (36% versus 15%) but did not reach statistical significance. Human immunodeficiency virus-associated PAH tended to have a poorer survival rate compared with PHLHD/PHLD in HIV-infected patients. Conclusions The PH/HIV + patients were younger and commonly had previous tuberculosis compared to PH/HIV− patients. Despite a better 6MWD at presentation, they had more signs and symptoms of early onset heart failure and a worse survival rate. Early echocardiography assessment should be performed in HIV-infected patients with history of tuberculosis who present with signs and symptoms of heart failure or posttuberculosis lung disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Limited data are available on clinical characteristics and prognosis of heart failure (HF) in black African populations especially with respect to current classifications and HF management guidelines. Methods and results: In this post hoc analysis, African patients admitted with acute HF and enrolled in the THESUS‐HF registry in one of 12 hospitals in 9 countries were classified as having preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (HFpEF), mid‐range LVEF (HFmrEF), and reduced LVEF (HFrEF) based on echocardiography performed close to the time of admission. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, management, and 60 and 180 day outcomes were compared between the groups. Of 888 patients with LVEF available, there were 472 (53.2%) with HFrEF, 174 (19.6%) with HFmrEF, and 243 (27.3%) with HFpEF. History of atrial fibrillation was higher in patients with HFmrEF (28.5%) than in patients with HFrEF (14.5%). Patients with HFrEF had a larger mean LV systolic diameter (54.1 ± 9.67 mm) than patients with HFmrEF (42.9 ± 8.47 mm), who had a larger mean LV diameter than patients with HFpEF (32.6 ± 8.64 mm); a similar pattern with LV diastolic diameter was observed. The mean posterior diastolic wall thickness (10.2 ± 2.94 mm) was lower in patients with HFrEF than in those with HFmrEF (11.1 ± 2.59 mm) and HFpEF (11.2 ± 2.90 mm). Patients with HFpEF were less likely to use angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blockers, and aldosterone inhibitors, and more likely to use beta‐blockers than those with HFrEF at either admission or discharge/Day 7. Death or readmission rates through Day 60 and 180 day death rates did not differ significantly among the groups; unadjusted hazard ratios relative to patients with HFrEF were 1.32 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.84–2.08] and 1.24 (95% CI 0.82–1.89) for 60 day death or readmission and 0.92 (95% CI 0.59–1.43) and 0.78 (95% CI 0.51–1.20) for 180 day death in patients with HFmrEF and HFpEF, respectively. Conclusions: Classification by LVEF according to European Society of Cardiology guidelines revealed some differences in clinical presentation but similar mortality and rehospitalization rates across all EF groups in Africans admitted for HF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atrial fibrillation is associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality. There's limited data on the outcomes of atrial fibrillation patients in Africa. We aimed at evaluating the clinical outcomes and their associated factors in patients with atrial fibrillation on antithrombotic therapy in Douala. The Douala atrial fibrillation registry is a prospective, observational cohort study of patients with atrial fibrillation followed by cardiovascular specialists in 3 specialized care centres. From January to April 2018, all patients with electrocardiographic diagnosis of atrial fibrillation, aged 21 years or older, were included in the registry provided their consent. The composite endpoint of heart failure, stroke, major bleeding, hospitalisation and mortality as well as their individual occurrence were assessed at 12 months. Of 113 participants that were included, 6(5.3%) were lost to follow-up. The mean age was 70 ± 12 years, with a female predominance (68%). After a mean follow-up time of 12.2 ± 0.7 months, 51 patients (47.7%) had at least one outcome. Hospitalisation, all-cause mortality, heart failure, stroke and major bleeding rates were 33.3%, 16.8%, 15.2%, 4.8% and 2.9% respectively. There was no significant difference in the composite outcome and mortality according to the antithrombotic treatment. Previous heart failure [aHR = 3.07, 95% CI (1.48–6.36) p = 0.003], new onset atrial fibrillation [aHR= 4.00, 95% CI (0.96–8.19) p < 0.001] and paroxystic atrial fibrillation [aHR= 3.74, 95% CI (1.33–10.53) p = 0.013] were significant predictors of outcome. Half of patients with atrial fibrillation in this registry developed an outcome after one year of follow-up, with heart failure, new onset and paroxystic atrial fibrillation being the main predicting factors. Diagnosing and managing atrial fibrillation in patients with heart disease should therefore be considered as a key priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) prevails as a major public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa. In Cameroon, reports on RHD have been so far limited to a few cities. We sought to describe the demographic, clinical and echocardiographic features of rheumatic heart disease in the Buea Regional Hospital, South West region of Cameroon. Echocardiography reports between June 2016 and June 2017 were reviewed. The diagnosis of RHD was based on the World Heart Federation Criteria for the diagnosis of RHD. Results: A total of 669 echocardiograms were performed over the 1 year study period. Twenty-one (3.1%) had a definite echocardiographic diagnosis of RHD. There were 14 (66.7%) females. The age range was 13–94 years with a mean age of 47.8 ± 20.3 years. The most common indications for echocardiography were heart failure (47.6%), and dyspnea (42.9%). The mitral valve was the most commonly affected valve in 80.9% of cases. The most common valve lesion was isolated mitral stenosis (42.9%), followed by isolated mitral regurgitation (28.6%). There were no lesions on the tricuspid and pulmonic valves. Severe lesions were found in 80.9% of the patients. The complications were pulmonary hypertension (66.7%) and atrial fibrillation (9.5%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]