Comparing Echocardiograms of Haitian and non-Haitian Stroke Patients

Haitian stroke patients had higher diastolic and mean arterial blood pressures, compared with non-Haitian controls. Therefore, we hypothesized that Haitians would have a higher prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy and decreased ejection fraction.

Using the Haitian Stroke Database, a cohort study was conducted. The following transthoracic echocardiographic parameters of 52 Haitians and 111 non-Haitians were compared: left ventricular hypertrophy; ejection fraction; right and left ventricular internal dimension at diastole; and left atrial size.

Left ventricular hypertrophy and decreased ejection fraction were more prevalent among Haitians (78% vs. 63%; p=.062 and 21% vs. 13%; p=.173, respectively). Neither reached statistical significance. Left atrial enlargement was significantly more prevalent among non-Haitians (36% vs 15%; p=.007).

Left ventricular hypertrophy and decreased ejection fraction were more prevalent in Haitians, but neither finding reached statistical significance. Larger samples are needed for further understanding of stroke comorbidities in Haitians.