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Echocardiographic findings in Eldoret: retrospective study
G M Anabwani1, W Book, P Bonhoeffer
1Faculty of Health Sciences, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya.
East African Medical Journal
|November 1, 1996
Summary
Echocardiography revealed congenital heart disease in 38.4% and rheumatic heart disease in 40.7% of abnormal findings. This study highlights echocardiography
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
- Public Health
Background:
- Echocardiography is a key diagnostic tool for cardiac conditions.
- Congenital and rheumatic heart diseases are significant causes of morbidity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze echocardiographic findings in a Kenyan population.
- To determine the prevalence of different heart diseases.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 211 echocardiograms from August 1992 to May 1994.
- Categorization of findings into normal and abnormal, with sub-classification of abnormalities.
Main Results:
- 177 out of 211 echocardiograms were abnormal.
- Congenital heart disease (38.4%) and rheumatic heart disease (40.7%) were the most common abnormalities.
- Ventricular septal defects and persistent ductus arteriosus were frequent congenital defects; mitral valve involvement was common in rheumatic heart disease.
Conclusions:
- Echocardiography is crucial for diagnosing heart conditions in the region.
- Early detection of rheumatic heart disease using echocardiography may enable timely prophylaxis.
- Colour-flow echocardiography offers a non-invasive and cost-effective diagnostic approach.