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Yuyun MF, Bonny A, Ng GA, Sliwa K, Kengne AP, Chin A, Mocumbi AO, Ngantcha M, Ajijola OA, Bukhman G. A Systematic Review of the Spectrum of Cardiac Arrhythmias in Sub-Saharan Africa. Glob Heart 2020; 15:37. [PMID: 32923331 PMCID: PMC7413135 DOI: 10.5334/gh.808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew F. Yuyun
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, US
- Cardiology and Vascular Medicine Service, VA Boston Healthcare System, Boston, US
| | - Aimé Bonny
- District Hospital Bonassama, Douala/University of Douala, CM
- Homeland Heart Centre, Douala, CM
- Centre Hospitalier Montfermeil, Unité de Rythmologie, Montfermeil, FR
| | - G. André Ng
- National Institute for Health Research Leicester Biomedical Research Centre, Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Leicester, UK
| | - Karen Sliwa
- Hatter Institute for Cardiovascular Research in Africa, University of Cape Town, ZA
| | - Andre Pascal Kengne
- South African Medical Research Council and Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, ZA
| | - Ashley Chin
- The Cardiac Clinic, Department of Medicine, Groote Schuur Hospital and University of Cape Town, ZA
| | - Ana Olga Mocumbi
- Instituto Nacional de Saúde and Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, MZ
| | | | | | - Gene Bukhman
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, US
- Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and Division of Global Health Equity, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, US
- Program in Global NCDs and Social Change, Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, US
- NCD Synergies project, Partners In Health, Boston, US
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