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Pattern of heart failure in a Nigerian teaching hospital

Arthur C Onwuchekwa1, Godspower E Asekomeh

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. ac_onwuchekwa@yahoo.com

Vascular Health and Risk Management
|September 24, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Congestive cardiac failure (CCF) in southern Nigeria is primarily caused by hypertension. Public health initiatives focusing on hypertension awareness, detection, treatment, and prevention are crucial for managing CCF in the Niger Delta region.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Congestive cardiac failure (CCF) presents a significant global health challenge, increasing healthcare system burdens.
  • Understanding regional CCF etiologies and outcomes is vital for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the primary causes and mortality rates associated with congestive cardiac failure (CCF).
  • To analyze CCF data from the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) in southern Nigeria over a five-year period (2001-2005).

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective study design was employed.
  • CCF cases were identified using admission and discharge registers at UPTH.
  • Patient case notes were retrieved and analyzed from the medical records department.

Main Results:

  • The study included 423 patients (242 males, 181 females) aged 18-100 years (mean 54.4 ± 17.3).
  • Hypertension (56.3%) and cardiomyopathy (12.3%) were the leading causes of CCF.
  • Other causes included chronic renal failure (7.8%), rheumatic heart disease (4.3%), and ischemic heart disease (0.2%). Peripartum heart disease was infrequent.

Conclusions:

  • Hypertension is the predominant cause of congestive cardiac failure (CCF) in the Niger Delta region.
  • Targeted public health strategies for hypertension awareness, detection, treatment, and prevention are recommended for this area.
Abstract

Keywords:
Nigeriacardiac failureetiological factorspattern

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