Differential Clubbing and a Triad of Patent Ductus Arteriosus, Ventricular Septal Defect and Supravalvular Ring Mitral Stenosis: A Case Report.

It is not uncommon for congenital heart defects to occur in clusters. Those involving a right to left heart shunt commonly cause cyanosis and finger clubbing. Differential clubbing involving only the lower limb digits is a strong pointer to the presence of patent ductus arteriosus with reversal of shunt. We report a case of 25-year-old man with effort intolerance and differential clubbing. He was found to have the uncommon triad of patent ductus arteriosus, ventricular septal defect and supravalvular ring mitral stenosis. The presence of differential clubbing on a background of patent ductus arteriosus usually indicates a reversal of shunt and negates surgical intervention. This general rule may however not apply with co-existing mitral stenosis as the elevated pulmonary pressure may be predominantly post-capillary. The finding of mitral stenosis in a patient with patent ductus arteriosus and differential limb clubbing may signify a good prognostic surgical outcome.

Il n'est pas rare que des malformations cardiaques congénitales surviennent en clusters. Celles impliquant un shunt cardiaque droitegauche provoquent souvent une cyanose et un hippocratisme digital. L'hippocratisme digital différentiel touchant uniquement les orteils des membres inférieurs est un indicateur fort de la présence d'un canal artériel persistant avec inversion du shunt. Nous rapportons le cas d'un homme de 25 ans présentant une intolérance à l'effort et un hippocratisme digital différentiel. Il a été diagnostiqué avec la triade peu commune de canal artériel persistant, de communication interventriculaire et de sténose mitrale à anneau supravalvulaire. La présence d'un hippocratisme digital différentiel sur un fond de canal artériel persistant indique généralement une inversion du shunt et exclut une intervention chirurgicale. Cependant, cette règle générale peut ne pas s'appliquer en présence d'une sténose mitrale concomitante, car la pression pulmonaire élevée peut être principalement post-capillaire. La découverte d'une sténose mitrale chez un patient atteint de canal artériel persistant et d'un hippocratisme digital différentiel peut indiquer un bon pronostic pour l'intervention chirurgicale.

PREDICTORS OF ACUTE HEART FAILURE OUTCOMES AT UNIVERSITY COLLEGE HOSPITAL, IBADAN, NIGERIA.

Background: Studies of acute heart failure (AHF) outcomes suggest that there are different predictors of mortality depending on region, ethnicity, and gender. Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of six months' post discharge outcome among AHF patients in a Nigerian tertiary hospital. Methods and Materials: This study was a prospective observational study conducted at the cardiology unit of the Department of Medicine at the University College Hospital Ibadan. One hundred and sixty AHF participants ≥ 18 years old were recruited. Results: The mean age of the cohort was 58.0±15.1 years and most were males (59.4%). The independent predictors for death outcome after six months of discharge for AHF and the adjusted hazard ratio) (95% CI) were male gender 2.77 (1.17 -6.56); p =0.020 ; systolic blood pressure (mmHg) 0.98 (0.96 - 0.99); p = 0.011 ; and the presence of hepatomegaly 2.58 (1.02 - 6.51); p = 0.045 . Independent predictors for readmission or rehospitalization within 6 months after discharge were presence of right abdominal pain adjusted HR (95% CI): 2.07(1.14 - 3.76), p=0.017; SBP 0.98(0.96 - 0.99), p=0.005. Independent predictors for composite endpoint were male gender: adjusted HR: 2.08 (1.16 - 3.72), p= 0.014 and pericardial effusion and tamponade: 5.31(1.79 - 15.74), p=0.003 . Conclusion: The study provided an insight into the factors contributing to outcomes six-month after admission in a tertiary centre in South-Western Nigeria, and it highlighted the predictive role of systolic blood pressure.

GENDER DIFFERENCES IN THE CLINICAL PROFILE AND SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF DILATED CARDIOMYOPATHY IN IBADAN, NIGERIA.

Background: Cardiomyopathies contribute about 18.2-40.2% (average- 21.4%) to the global burden of heart failure of which dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a major cause. DCM is the second commonest cause of heart failure in Ibadan. The gender differences in the clinical profile has not been described in our setting. Objective: In this study, we set out to describe the gender differences in the pattern and presentation of DCM at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. Methods: This was an analysis of a prospectively collected data over a period of 5 years (August 1, 2016 to July 31, 2021). Results: A total of 117 subjects, 88 males (75.3%) and 29 females (24.8%) aged 50.30 ± 14.7 years (range, 17 to 86 years). Males had significantly achieved a higher educational level than females (p = 0.004). Males were more likely to be employed and had more monthly income compared to females. Males were significantly more likely to use alcohol and smoke cigarette (p = 0.0001 and 0.001 respectively). Females were more likely to be in NYHA class III/IV. There was no statistically significant difference in the relationship between any medication and gender of participants (p > 0.05). Conclusions: DCM is a disease of young and middle-aged adults in our population. The commonest age group was 20-39 years and there was male preponderance. There were some gender differences in the clinical profile of the disease in our environment.

Deriving an optimal threshold of waist circumference for detecting cardiometabolic risk in sub-Saharan Africa.

BACKGROUND: Waist circumference (WC) thresholds derived from western populations continue to be used in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) despite increasing evidence of ethnic variation in the association between adiposity and cardiometabolic disease and availability of data from African populations. We aimed to derive a SSA-specific optimal WC cut-point for identifying individuals at increased cardiometabolic risk. METHODS: We used individual level cross-sectional data on 24 181 participants aged ⩾15 years from 17 studies conducted between 1990 and 2014 in eight countries in SSA. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to derive optimal WC cut-points for detecting the presence of at least two components of metabolic syndrome (MS), excluding WC. RESULTS: The optimal WC cut-point was 81.2 cm (95% CI 78.5-83.8 cm) and 81.0 cm (95% CI 79.2-82.8 cm) for men and women, respectively, with comparable accuracy in men and women. Sensitivity was higher in women (64%, 95% CI 63-65) than in men (53%, 95% CI 51-55), and increased with the prevalence of obesity. Having WC above the derived cut-point was associated with a twofold probability of having at least two components of MS (age-adjusted odds ratio 2.6, 95% CI 2.4-2.9, for men and 2.2, 95% CI 2.0-2.3, for women). CONCLUSION: The optimal WC cut-point for identifying men at increased cardiometabolic risk is lower (⩾81.2 cm) than current guidelines (⩾94.0 cm) recommend, and similar to that in women in SSA. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these cut-points based on cardiometabolic outcomes.International Journal of Obesity advance online publication, 31 October 2017; doi:10.1038/ijo.2017.240.

Target-organ damage and cardiovascular complications in hypertensive Nigerian Yoruba adults: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a major challenge to public health as it is frequently associated with sudden death due to the silent nature of the condition. By the time of diagnosis, some patients would have developed target-organ damage (TOD) and associated clinical conditions (ACC) due to low levels of detection, treatment and control. TOD and ACC are easy to evaluate in a primary healthcare (PHC) setting and offer valuable information for stratifying cardiovascular risks in the patient. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and correlates of TOD and established cardiovascular disease (CVD) in hypertensive Nigerian adults. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 2 000 healthy Yoruba adults between 18 and 64 years who lived in a rural community in south-western Nigeria. Participants diagnosed to have hypertension were examined for TOD and ACC by the presence of electrocardiographically determined left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), microalbuminuria or proteinuria, retinopathy, or history of myocardial infarction and stroke. RESULTS: A total of 415 hypertensive participants were examined and of these, 179 (43.1%) had evidence of TOD and 45 (10.8%) had established CVD. TOD was associated with significantly higher systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). The prevalence of LVH was 27.9%, atrial fibrillation 16.4%, microalbuminuria 12.3%, proteinuria 15.2%, hypertensive retinopathy 2.2%, stroke 6.3%, congestive heart failure (CHF) 4.6%, ischaemic heart disease 1.7%, and peripheral vascular disease 3.6%. Compared with those with normal blood pressure (BP), the multivariate adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) of developing TOD was 3.61 (0.59-8.73) for those with newly diagnosed hypertension; 4.76 (1.30-13.06) for those with BP ≥ 180/110 mmHg; and 1.85 (0.74-8.59) for those with diabetes mellitus. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides new data on TOD and its correlates in a nationally representative sample of hypertensive adults in Nigeria. In this low-resource setting, attempts should be made to detect hypertensive patients early within the community and manage them appropriately before irreversible organ damage and complications set in. The methods used in this study are simple and adaptable at the primary healthcare level for planning prevention and intervention programmes.

Early diastolic functional abnormalities in normotensive offspring of Nigerian hypertensives.

BACKGROUND: Some studies have suggested that diastolic dysfunction precedes the clinical manifestation of hypertension. Whether changes in cardiac structure and function predate the clinical manifestation of hypertension later in life is now being investigated. The aim of this study was to assess the differences in cardiac structure and function between the offspring of hypertensive and normotensive parents. METHODS: Eighty normotensive offspring of hypertensive parents (OHyp) (41 females and 39 males) and 62 normotensive offspring of normotensive parents (ONorm) (31 males and 31 females) were recruited for echocardiography. RESULTS: The mean age was 25.0 (5.31) and 24.3 (3.60) years in the OHyp and ONorm participants, respectively (p = 0.369). Other baseline parameters were comparable between the two groups. Septal wall thickness in systole was higher in the OHyp than the ONorm subjects [1.3 (0.35) vs 1.1 (0.25), p = 0.0173]. Indexed left ventricular mass [28.1 (7.33) vs 27.5 (7.23), p = 0.631] and relative wall thickness [(0.3 (0.10) vs 0.3 (0.90), p = 0.280] were similar in the two groups. The offspring of hypertensives had lower deceleration time [149.9 (38.89) vs 169.0 (50.08) ms, p = 0.012], prolonged duration of pulmonary A reverse flow [113.5 (70.69) vs 81.7 (38.31) ms, p = 0.024], increased myocardial isovolumic relaxation time [173.4 (47.98) vs 156.1 (46.74) ms, p = 0.033] and a lower myocardial Em [0.2 (0.05) vs 0.3 (1.38), p = 0.037] and myocardial Em/Am ratio [1.6 (0.01) vs 2.1 (0.01), p = 0.019] than the offspring of normotensives. CONCLUSION: This study showed that offspring of OHyp subjects had early diastolic functional abnormalities when compared with offspring of ONorm participants. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine the implications of this finding in this African population.

A prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors among a rural Yoruba south-western Nigerian population: a population-based survey.

BACKGROUND: It has been hypothesised that rural sub-Saharan Africa is at an early stage of epidemiological transition from communicable to non-communicable diseases (NCD). Limited information exists about the prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors and the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the adult Nigerian population, especially in the rural setting. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess and describe the prevalence of several cardiometabolic risk factors in the sub-Saharan adult population of a rural Yoruba community, living in south-western Nigeria. METHODS: The study was a descriptive, cross-sectional, random-sample survey. Participants were visited at home by trained nurses and community health extension workers (CHEW) who administered a questionnaire, took the relevant history, carried out clinical examinations and measurements and took samples for laboratory tests. They were supervised by primary healthcare physicians serving the community. The variables recorded comprised clinical history, CVD risk factors including blood pressure (BP), body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, blood sugar and serum lipid levels, cigarette use, and dietary habits. The participants included 2 000 healthy adults aged 18 to 64 years who had been living in the area for more than three years. RESULTS: The average age was 42.1 +/- 21.6, with 43.7% (873) being males and 56.3% (1127) females; 20.8% were hypertensive with BP > or = 140/90 mmHg, 42.3% of the men and 36.8% of the women had BP > or = 130/85 mmHg; 2.5% had diabetes, 1.9% had hypertriglycerideaemia, 43.1% had low HDL-C, 3.9% had general obesity, 14.7% had abdominal obesity, 3.2% were physically inactive, and 1.7% smoked cigarettes. Overall, 12.9% of the subjects were found to have at least one CVD risk factor. Using the Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III criteria, 2.1% of men and 2.7% of women in the study population had at least three of the criteria, the commonest being HDL-C < 40 mg/dl in men or < 50 mg/dl in women, followed by BP >or = 130/85 mmHg, then waist circumference > 88 cm in women or > 102 cm in men, followed by blood glucose > or = 110 mg/dl. CONCLUSION: The results obtained from this study strongly suggest a high prevalence of cardiometabolic risk factors in this rural population and that the epidemiological transition is not restricted to the urban population. This serves as a wake-up call for action in the planning of health services for the management of CVD and other chronic NCDs.

Audit of Echocardiographic Services at the University College Hospital Ibadan.

BACKGROUND: Echocardiography is useful in the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases and it influences management. It is becoming widely available in our Teaching Hospitals though expensive. It is therefore important to know the value of echocardiography in patients' diagnosis. METHODS: One thousand five hundred and forty four patients referred for transthoracic echocardiography over 19-month period (March 2003 to September 2004) were studied. M mode, two dimensional and Doppler studies were out using ALOKA SSD 1700. RESULTS: One thousand five hundred and forty four patients (778 males and 766 females) had echocardiography. Mean age was 51.4 +/- 15.5. Minimal age was 15 years while maximum was 100 years. The commonest indication for echocardiography include Hypertension 727 (47.1%), Pre-Chemotherapy assessment 127 (8.2%), Heart failure 117 (7.6%) and Routine Medical Check Up 99 (6.4%). The highest source of referral came from Cardiology unit 746 (48.3%). Staff Clinic 128 (8.3%), Surgery 127 (8.2%) and Nephrology 88 (5.7%). Six hundred and eighty seven (44.6%) were diagnosed as Hypertensive Heart Disease, 674 (36.5%) were Normal Study and 54 (3.5%) had Valvular Heart Disease. CONCLUSION: The study showed the different indications for echocardiography, source of referral and diagnosis. There is an emerging need for echocardiography in our patients so as to improve their management.

Blood Pressure Control and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Hypertensive Nigerians

Background : Hypertension is a disease characterized by end-organ complications; leading to high morbidity and mortality in many cases. People with untreated or uncontrolled hypertension often run the risk of developing complications directly associated with the disease. Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) has been shown to be a significant risk factor for adverse outcomes both in patients with hypertension and in the general population. We investigated the prevalence and pattern of LVH in a treated hypertensive population at the University College Hospital; Ibadan; Nigeria; using non-hypertensive subjects as control. Design and Setting : A prospective observational study performed at the University College Hospital; Ibadan; Nigeria. Methods : Patients had 6 visits; when at least one blood pressure measurement was recorded for each hypertensive subject and average calculated for systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) separately. The values obtained were used for stratification of the subjects into controlled and uncontrolled hypertension. Subjects also had echocardiograms to determine their left ventricular mass. Results : LVH was found in 14 (18.2) of the normotensive group; 40 (20.8) of the uncontrolled hypertensive group and 14 (24.1) of the controlled hypertensive group when left ventricular mass (LVM) was indexed to body surface area (BSA). When LVM was indexed to height; left ventricular hypertrophy was found in none of the subjects of the normotensive group; while it was found present in 43 (22.4) and 14 (24.1) subjects of the uncontrolled and controlled hypertensive groups; respectively. Significant difference in the prevalence of LVH was detected only when LVM was indexed to height alone. Conclusion : Clinic blood pressure is an ineffective way of assessing BP control. Thus in apparently controlled hypertensive subjects; based on office blood pressure; cardiac structural changes do remain despite antihypertensive therapy. This population is still at risk of cardiovascular events

Plasma lipoprotein (a), homocysteine, and other cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in Nigerians with CVD.

Elevated plasma lipoprotein (a) (Lp(a)) and total homocysteine (tHcy) concentrations, as well as fat distributions, are associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. The purpose of this study was to evaluate plasma Lp(a), tHcy, percentage body fat, anthropometric indices, and blood pressure (BP) and their relationships with each other in well-defined, hospital-based, CVD patients in a Nigerian African community. One hundred seventy patients suffering from hypertensive heart disease, hypertension, ischaemic heart disease, and myocardial infraction with the mean age of 45.3 +/- 1.3 years and 58 apparently healthy volunteers with the mean age of 44.8 +/-1.2 years were selected. Anthropometric indices and BP were measured. Percentage body fat, body mass index, and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) were calculated. Plasma Lp(a) and tHcy concentrations were determined. The results showed significant increases in BP, skinfold thickness (SFT) variables, and WHR in all of the CVD patients. Plasma Lp(a) was also significantly increased (p < 0.001), whereas the slight increase in the mean tHcy was not statistically significant. Positive significant correlations were found between systolic BP, triceps, SFT, and percentage body fat (p < 0.01), whereas significant correlations were found between some body composition variables, tHcy, and systolic BP (p < 0.05). Our findings provide supportive evidence for altered plasma Lp(a) concentration in addition to some other traditional CVD risk factors in Nigerians. The role of homocysteine is not well defined.

Electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy with strain pattern: prevalence, mechanisms and prognostic implications.

BACKGROUND: Electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy with strain pattern has been documented as a marker for left ventricular hypertrophy. Its presence on the ECG of hypertensive patients is associated with a poor prognosis. This review was undertaken to report the prevalence, mechanism and prognostic implications of this ECG abnormality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive search of electronic databases to identify studies relating to the title of this review. The search criteria were related to the title. Two of the reviewers independently screened the searches. RESULTS: Results were described qualitatively. The data were not pooled because there were no randomised studies on the topic. The prevalence of ECG strain pattern ranged from 2.1 to 36%. The highest prevalence was reported before the era of good antihypertensive therapy. The sensitivity as a measure of left ventricular hypertrophy ranged from 3.8 to 50%, while the specificity was in the range of 89.8 to 100%. Strain pattern was associated with adverse cardiovascular risk factors as well as increased all-cause and CV morbidity and mortality. ST-segment depression and T-wave inversion on the ECG was recognised as the strongest marker of morbidity and mortality when ECG-LVH criteria were utilised for risk stratification in hypertensive subjects. CONCLUSION: Electrocardiographic strain pattern identifies cardiac patients at higher risk of cardiovascular-related as well as all-cause morbidity and mortality.

Palmar and digital dermatogylyphic patterns of the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria.

Palmar and digital dermatoglyphic patterns of the three major ethnic groups in Nigeria were taken and their variability examined. Six hundred people were assessed, consisting of 200 Hausas (156 males, 44 females), 200 Ibos (98 males, 102 females), 200 Yorubas (112 males and 88 females). Clear prints were obtained by ink procedure and classified into patterns. It was found that ulnar loop was the most predominant among the ethnic groups. Comparison of digital and palmar ridge patterns among the ethnic groups revealed significant differences. The study established that digital and palmar ridge patterns vary significantly for the three ethnic groups. It was concluded from the study that dermatoglyphic traits of the digits and the palm may be used to differentiate the three ethnic groups.

Electrocardiographic Left Ventricular Hypertrophy with Strain Pattern : Prevalence; Mechanisms and Prognostic Implications : Review Article

Background: Electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy with strain pattern has been documented as a marker for left ventricular hypertrophy. Its presence on the ECG of hypertensive patients is associated with a poor prognosis. This review was undertaken to report the prevalence; mechanism and prognostic implications of this ECG abnormality. Materials and methods: We conducted a comprehensive search of electronic databases to identify studies relating to the title of this review. The search criteria were related to the title. Two of the reviewers independently screened the searches. Results: Results were described qualitatively. The data were not pooled because there were no randomised studies on the topic. The prevalence of ECG strain pattern ranged from 2.1 to 36. The highest prevalence was reported before the era of good antihypertensive therapy. The sensitivity as a measure of left ventricular hypertrophy ranged from 3.8 to 50; while the specificity was in the range of 89.8 to 100. Strain pattern was associated with adverse cardiovascular risk factors as well as increased all-cause and CV morbidity and mortality. ST-segment depression and T-wave inversion on the ECG was recognised as the strongest marker of morbidity and mortality when ECG-LVH criteria were utilised for risk stratification in hypertensive subjects. Conclusion: Electrocardiographic strain pattern identifies cardiac patients at higher risk of cardiovascular-related as well as all-cause morbidity and mortality

Comparison of Araoye's criteria with standard electrocardiographic criteria for diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy in Nigerian hypertensives.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Various electrocardiographic (ECG) criteria for LHV give poorer performance in black subjects when compared with white subjects. Araoye proposed a code system for improved ECG diagnosis of LVH in blacks. The Araoye's criteria are yet to be validated in black subjects. STUDY DESIGN: Electrocardiograms and echocardiograms were obtained from 100 hypertensive subjects and 60 controls. ECG LVH was determined by the Araoye's code criteria, Sokolow-Lyon; Cornell voltage; and Romhilt-Estes point score. Echocardiographic LVH was defined by LV mass indexed for height at 97.5 percentile of the controls (126 g.m(-1) and 130 g.m(-1) in females and males respectively). RESULTS: The prevalence of echocardiographic LVH indexed for height was 34% and 1.67% in the hypertensive and controls respectively while the prevalence of electrocardiographic LVH among the hypertensives were 18% by Romhilt Estes score, 48% by Sokolow-Lyon's criteria, 22% by Cornell's criteria and 51% by Araoye's criteria. The sensitivity and specificity respectively of the various electrocardiographic criteria were 65.7% and 76.8% for Sokolow-Lyon, 25.7% and 88.8% for Cornell's criteria 25.7% and 92.8% for Romhilt-Estes score and 71.4% and 74.4% for Araoye's criteria. Araoye's criteria did not differ significantly from Sokolow-Lyon criteria in identifying LVH but differed significantly from Cornell and Romhilt-Estes criteria. The number of positive codes in Araoye's criteria was significantly associated with the blood pressures, LV dimensions, and LV mass. CONCLUSION: The Araoye's code system for electrocardiographic diagnosis of LVH offer no comparative advantage over Sokolow-Lyon's criteria. However, the number of positive codes in Araoye's criteria identifies those individuals with more severe LVH.

Association between electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy with strain pattern and left ventricular structure and function.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) with strain pattern has been documented as a marker for LVH. Its presence on the ECG of hypertensive patients is associated with poor prognosis. The study was carried out to assess the association of the electrocardiographic strain with left ventricular mass (LVM) and function in hypertensive Nigerians. MATERIAL AND METHODS: ECG as well as echocardiograms were performed in 64 hypertensive patients with ECG-LVH and strain pattern, 65 patients with ECG-LVH by Sokolow-Lyon (SL) voltage criteria and 62 normal controls. RESULTS: The study showed that electrocardiographic left ventricular (LV) strain pattern is associated with dilated left atrium, larger LV internal dimensions and greater absolute and indexed LVM in hypertensive Nigerians compared with ECG-LVH by SL voltage criteria alone or normal controls. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study support the fact that the ECG strain pattern is associated with increased LVM and an increased risk of developing abnormal LV geometry.

Comparison of Araoye's criteria with standard electrocardiographic criteria for diagnosis of left ventricular hypertrophy in Nigerian hypertensives

Background: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Various electrocardiographic (ECG) criteria for LHV give poorer performance in black subjects when compared with white subjects. Araoye proposed a code system for improved ECG diagnosis of LVH in blacks. The Araoye's criteria are yet to be validated in black subjects.Study design: Electrocardiograms and echocardiograms were obtained from 100 hypertensive subjects and 60 controls. ECG LVH was determined by the Araoye's code criteria; Sokolow-Lyon; Cornell voltage; and Romhilt-Estes point score. Echocardiographic LVH was defined by LV mass indexed for height at 97.5 percentile of the controls (126g.m-1 and 130g.m-1 in females and males respectively). Results: The prevalence of echocardiographic LVH indexed for height was 34and 1.67in the hypertensive and controls respectively while the prevalence of electrocardiographic LVH among the hypertensives were 18by Romhilt Estes score; 48by Sokolow-Lyon's criteria; 22by Cornell's criteria and 51by Araoye's criteria. The sensitivity and specificity respectively of the various electrocardiographic criteria were 65.7and 76.8for Sokolow-Lyon; 25.7and 88.8for Cornell's criteria 25.7and 92.8for Romhilt-Estes score and 71.4and 74.4for Araoye's criteria. Araoye's criteria did not differ significantly from Sokolow-Lyon criteria in identifying LVH but differed significantly from Cornell and Romhilt-Estes criteria. The number of positive codes in Araoye's criteria was significantly associated with the blood pressures; LV dimensions; and LV mass. Conclusion: The Araoye's code system for electrocardiographic diagnosis of LVH offer no comparative advantage over Sokolow-Lyon's criteria. However; the number of positive codes in Araoye's criteria identifies those individuals with more severe LVH

Prevalence of mitral valve prolapse in healthy adult Nigerians as diagnosed by echocardiography.

Fifty (male = 24; female = 26; age 49.33 +/- 12.16) presumably healthy adult Nigerians were prospectively examined for the presence of mitral valve prolapse (MVP). We performed clinical, electrocardiographic (ECG), M-mode echocardiographic (M-mode echo) and two-dimensional echocardiographic (2-D echo) examinations on these subjects. 2-D echos were obtained from parasternal and apical acoustic windows. Parasternal long axis view obtained when the transducer was perpendicular to the chest wall with both mitral valve leaflets and left atrium recorded was considered optimal for studying mitral valve systolic motion. MVP was defined as late or holosystolic bowing of mitral valve leaflet at least 2 mm or 3 mm, respectively, below the C-D line at M-mode echo; or, marked systolic extension of one or both mitral valve leaflets cephalad to the plane of mitral annulus into the left atrium. No subject had classical features of Marfan's Syndrome. Of the four subjects with cardiac symptoms, only one had diagnostic MVP. Three subjects had mid-to late systolic click following valsalva manouver. Seven subjects had apical late systolic murmur none of which was louder than grade II/VI. Four of them had combined anterior and posterior leaflet prolapse and one had posterior leaflet prolapse compatible with diagnostic MVP, thus resulting in 10% prevalence rate of MVP in the study population. Two other subjects with late systolic murmur had no echocardiographic evidence of MVP. Three subjects with non-diagnostic mild-to moderate prolapse of the anterior leaflet alone on 2-D echo had no clinical murmur even though two of them complained of palpitations. Seven otherwise normal subjects had holosystolic bowing of mitral valve leaflets on M-mode echo but not on 2-D echo and were thus classified into non-diagnostic MVP group. No subject with MVP had serious arrhythmias on resting ECG. These results indicate that the prevalence of MVP in presumably healthy adult Nigerians was 10%. The use of M-mode echo resulted in over-diagnosis, whereas 2-D echo was more accurate in identifying true anatomical and structural abnormalities of the mitral valve.

Congestive heart failure and ventricular arrhythmias in relation to serum magnesium.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) is associated with biochemical evidence of electrolyte imbalance including magnesium deficit, which may increase myocardial electrical instability, risk of malignant arrhythmias and sudden death. The aim of this study was to determine serum magnesium concentration in 45 patients (Group I; 24 male, 21 female; the average age 49.7 years) with CHF, New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class II, III who were treated with lisinopril [Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor (ACEI)], frusemide (diuretic) and digoxin. All patients were subjected to resting 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) and ventricular arrhythmias were analysed in relation to serum magnesium concentration at baseline and at end of the fourth week of treatment. Control group (Group II; 24 male, 21 female; the average age 49.3 years) were matched with Group I. Serum magnesium was determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). Statistical analysis was with Student's t-test. It was observed that 6 (13.3%) CHF patients had ventricular arrhythmias at the commencement of the study. This number increased to 17 (37.8%) by the end of the fourth week of treatment. At four weeks, there was significant difference in serum magnesium between CHF patients without arrhythmias (0.69 +/- 0.11 mmol x L(-1)) and those with arrhythmias (0.50 +/- 0.01 mmol x L(-1)), P < 0.0001. Results obtained suggest that CHF patients having hypomagnesemia had higher prevalence of ventricular arrhythmias. It should be stressed, however, that 24 hour ECG monitoring and classification of ventricular arrhythmias according to Lown may give a more accurate picture. Nevertheless, routine serum magnesium assays, as part of the electrolyte profile of CHF patients would assist in early prevention and detection of magnesium depletion. This would go a long way to reduce the susceptibility to lethal arrhythmias and sudden death.

Serum and urinary magnesium during treatment of patients with chronic congestive heart failure.

Electrolyte disturbances are common in patients with Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) especially during long-term treatments. Unlike potassium, little is known of how magnesium is affected in these patients. This study was carried out to determine the serum and urinary concentration of magnesium in patients with CHF who were treated with lisinopril [Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitor (ACEI)], frusemide (diuretic) and digoxin, at baseline, 2 weeks and 4 weeks. 45 patients (Group I; 24 male, 21 female; average age 49.7 years) with CHF, New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class II, III were matched with 45 healthy controls (Group II; 24 male, 21 female, average age 49.3 years). Serum and urinary magnesium were assayed by atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Statistical analysis was made by Student's t-test. At baseline, serum magnesium concentration in CHF patients was not significantly lower than in controls, p > 0.1. However, a higher loss of magnesium in urine was found in CHF patients compared with control subjects at baseline, p < 0.01. Serum magnesium concentration decreased significantly during treatment except in CHF patients on lisinopril, p < 0.05. The lowest excretion of magnesium was also found in this group of patients. Our study shows that lisinopril is magnesium-sparing in patients with CHF.

Changes in endoplasmic reticulum associated with beta-naphthoflavone-inducible cytochrome P450 in murine liver: a quantitative analysis.

Cytochrome P450s are found associated with membranes of endoplasmic reticulum where they catalyse the oxidation and biotransformation of a wide range of substances. It is therefore expected that their induction and catalytic activities would correlate with the ultrastructure of the cell. In this study, we compared the structure of the hepatocytes of C57BL/6 mice at the basal level in the untreated control animal, and followed induction with the beta-naphthoflavone in the experimental animal. Qualitative analysis of liver sections from control, corn oil-treated mice, and the induced, beta-naphthoflavone-treated mice were essentially similar with no obvious differences between the two groups. Direct morphometry was utilized to quantify the amounts of smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum in the hepatocytes. A computerized Bioquant Image Analysis System was used to determine the areas of endoplasmic reticulum in the hepatocytes. Morphometric analysis showed 1.004-fold increase in the amount of smooth endoplasmic reticulum and 1.018-fold increase in amount of rough endoplasmic reticulum following treatment of C57BL/6 mice with beta-naphthoflavone. These increases were not significantly different from amounts in control hepatocytes (P). In conclusion, induction of cytochrome P450 by beta-naphthoflavone does not appear to elicit increased proliferation of the endoplasmic reticulum.