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Taking cardiac surgery to the people
Magdi Yacoub1, Ahmed ElGuindy, Ahmed Afifi
1Harefield Heart Science Centre, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College, London, UK, m.yacoub@imperial.ac.uk.
Insights
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading global cause of death, disproportionately affecting low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). This article examines challenges and solutions for establishing vital cardiac surgery programs in these regions.
Area of Science:
- Global Health
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Public Health Policy
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the primary cause of mortality worldwide.
- The majority (80%) of the global CVD burden resides in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
- Cardiac surgery infrastructure is notably underdeveloped in many LMICs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify challenges and barriers to establishing cardiac surgery programs in LMICs.
- To explore existing initiatives and strategies for overcoming these obstacles.
- To use a cardiac surgery center in Aswan, Egypt, as a case study.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on CVD burden and cardiac surgery in LMICs.
- Case study analysis of a cardiac surgery program in Aswan, Egypt.
- Qualitative assessment of challenges and proposed solutions.
Main Results:
- Significant barriers include lack of funding, trained personnel, and essential equipment.
- Successful program establishment requires tailored, sustainable, and locally relevant strategies.
- The Aswan center demonstrates potential for growth despite resource limitations.
Conclusions:
- Addressing the CVD epidemic in LMICs necessitates strengthening cardiac surgery services.
- Overcoming barriers requires collaborative efforts, innovative solutions, and policy support.
- Developing sustainable cardiac surgery programs is crucial for reducing global mortality.
Abstract:
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is currently the leading cause of mortality in the world, and it is estimated that 80% of the disease burden is encountered in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). While numerous wake-up calls have been issued in the recent years to face this emerging epidemic, little has been achieved. One particularly deficient area is cardiac surgery. This article aims to address the challenges and barriers to establishing cardiac surgery programs in LMICs and some of the existing efforts to overcome them, focusing on a center in Aswan, Egypt, as an example.