Epidemiological, clinical, therapeutic and evolutionary specificities of the association between venous thromboembolic event and cancer in sub-Saharan Africa: Case of Togo.

BACKGROUND: Our study aimed to describe the clinical, paraclinical, therapeutic and outcomes of patients with venous thromboembolic event (VTE) associated with cancer in the context of limited resources. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study over a period of six years from March 1, 2016 to March 31, 2022, in the cardiology department and the oncology unit of the Sylvanus Olympio Teaching Hospital of Lome. Our study examined medical records of patients who were at least 18 years old and had venous thromboembolic disease and cancer that was histologically confirmed. This study did not include records that were incomplete or records from patients with coronavirus disease. RESULTS: Our study included 87 patients with average age of 56.36±15.26 years. The discovery of VTE occurred incidentally in 28.74%. Venous thrombosis was isolated in 68.96% and proximal in 95%. Pulmonary embolism was bilateral in 77.77%. Gynaecological and urological cancers were found in 33.33% and 32.19% respectively. Adenocarcinoma was the histological type of cancer found in 47.13%. Cancers were at a very advanced stage in 74.71%. Treatment with antivitamin K was prescribed in 12.65%. In our study, there were 58 patients who passed away with a mortality rate of 66.66%. The cause of death was a complication of VTE in 22.42% and related to the course of cancer in 63.79% of cases. CONCLUSION: VTE during cancer is particular with a fatal evolution due to the severity of VTE and the very advanced stage of cancer.

[Thrombolysis in pulmonary embolism with high mortality risk: Experience of a cardiology department in sub-Saharan Africa]. / La thrombolyse dans l'embolie pulmonaire à haut risque de mortalité : expérience d'un service de cardiologie d'Afrique Subsaharienne.

INTRODUCTION: High-risk pulmonary embolism (PE) accounts for 5% of total acute PE and is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate therapeutic management by fibrinolysis. The objective of this work is to describe the experience of thrombolysis in high-risk PE in a cardiology department in Togo. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is an analytical and descriptive study carried out in the cardiology department of the Campus teaching hospital of Lomé over a period of 5 years (August 2012 to July 2017) concerning patients hospitalized for high-risk mortality PE and having undergone streptokinase thrombolysis. RESULTS: Twenty-eight of the 102 PE were at high risk of mortality (27.5%). They were 9 men and 19 women with an average age of 61.9±14.1 years. The mean systolic blood pressure was 65mmHg and 50% of the patients were placed on dobutamine. Thrombolysis was performed in 22 of the 28 patients (78.6%). Eighteen patients had a short protocol and 4 a long protocol. The mortality rate was 32.1% or 13.6% in the thrombolysis PE versus 100% in the non-thrombolysis PE (P=0.01). Causes of death in thrombolysis were persistent shock (2 cases) at the end of thrombolysis and sudden death occurred 1 month after hospitalization. The average hospital stay was 18.8 days. CONCLUSION: The high-risk PE remains today a pathology burdened with heavy mortality. Thrombolysis remains the first treatment to reduce this mortality.

[Prevalence and determinants of the increased carotid intima-media thickness in a population of 1203 black African hypertensive]. / Prévalence et facteurs déterminants de l'épaisseur intima-media carotidienne élevée dans une population de 1203 hypertendus noirs africains.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence and determinants of increased carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) in a population of black hypertensive patients and it influence of on the assessment of their overall cardiovascular risk. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a 16-month, cross-sectional study conducted in the outpatient unit of the cardiology department of the Campus teaching hospital of Lome, and included 1203 hypertensive patients, both sexes, aged 35 years and more. Each patient benefited from a carotid IMT measure. Carotid IMT was increased if it was>0.9mm and the plaque was defined as a carotid IMT>1.2mm. RESULTS: The mean age of our patients was 53.3±10.4 years with a sex ratio of 1.6 in favor of women. The duration of hypertension was less than 5 years in 56.7% and hypertension was grade 1 in 47.7% of cases. The mean carotid IMT was 0.89mm±0.20. The prevalence of the increased carotid IMT was 45.8% and that of an atheroma plaque was 15.8%. Carotid IMT was correlated with age (P˂0.0001), duration of arterial hypertension (P=0.01), history of stroke (P˂0.0001), and presence of left ventricular hypertrophy to cardiac ultrasound (P=0.01). The overall cardiovascular risk was modified after taking into account the carotid IMT. An increase in cardiovascular risk was observed in 30.5% of hypertensive patients. CONCLUSION: Increased carotid intima-media thickness is frequent in Togolese hypertension. The determining factors are age, duration of arterial hypertension, left ventricular hypertrophy and stroke. The systematic measurement of the carotid intima-media thickness would better evaluate the overall cardiovascular risk for our patients.

[The chronic constrictive pericarditis, a real calcified gangue realizing a mid-ventricular bottleneck: A case report]. / La péricardite chronique constrictive, une véritable gangue calcifiée réalisant un goulot d'étranglement médio-ventriculaire : à propos d'un cas.

A 30-year-old woman consulted for a predominantly right-sided global heart failure chart that had been evolving for about 3 months. Its antecedents include a concept of poorly treated pleuropulmonary tuberculosis at the age of 8 years. Lateral chest X-ray, transthoracic echocardiography and thoracic CT showed ventricular ring calcification with mid-ventricular compression with apical ballooning. The diagnosis of chronic mid-ventricular constrictive pericarditis of tuberculosis etiology was retained. The patient was put on diuretic treatment and the immediate evolution is favorable with a regression of the signs of congestion. Surgical decortication has been indicated.

Acute coronary syndromes: epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical and therapeutic characteristics at the Campus teaching hospital of Lome, Togo.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this work was to describe the epidemiological, clinical, and therapeutic characteristics of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in the cardiology department of Lome Campus University Hospital in Togo. METHODOLOGY: We conducted a prospective study that consistently included patients hospitalized from 2014 to 2017 for ACS, based on clinical, electrocardiographic, and laboratory findings. RESULTS: Of 1914 patients admitted to the department during the study period, 67 were admitted for ACS, for a 3.5% prevalence. The (M/F) sex ratio was 1.91. Patients' mean age was 60 ± 12 years. The clinical presentation was an ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in 71.6% of cases, and non-STEMI in 28.4% of cases, including 18.1% non-Q-wave infarction and 10.3% unstable angina. The mean time to admission after the onset of symptoms was 81.9 ± 124.6 hours. Patients were transported to the hospital by a private vehicle in 82.1% of cases. Thrombolysis was performed for 14.6% of patients (7/48 patients with ACS STEMI), with a success rate of 85.7% (n=6). In-hospital mortality was 10.5% (7/67). This mortality was significantly associated with the interval from onset of symptoms to admission and with the Killip stage. CONCLUSION: Acute coronary syndromes are increasingly common in Togo. They are characterized by a relatively young age and a long delay until admission. Improving the management of these conditions in our countries requires effective primary prevention.

[Effusive pericarditis: clinical and etiological aspects in Lomé]. / Les péricardites liquidiennes : aspects cliniques et étiologiques à Lomé.

OBJECTIVE: to describe the course and the etiologic, prognostic, and therapeutic aspects of effusive pericarditis (EP) in Togo. MATERIAL ANDMETHODS: Prospective and longitudinal study conducted at the cardiology department of Sylvanus Olympio Teaching Hospital of Lome from February 1, 2011, to January 31, 2014, of patients hospitalized for EP, confirmed by Doppler echocardiography. RESULTS: The study included 38 patients. The hospital incidence rate of EP was 2.0%. The mean age was 42.5 ± 14.9 years (range: 16 to 73 years) with a sex ratio of 0.7. Exertional dyspnea, poor general condition, chest pain, and fever were the main symptoms. Pericardial effusion was abundant in 24 patients (63%). The Koch bacillus was identified on direct examination in five patients (13%) and only from sputum. HIV serology was positive in 18 patients (47%). Pericardial fluid was collected from 24 patients (63%). Pathology examinations of pericardial tissue found nonspecific inflammation in 5 patients and pericardial tuberculosis in 7. The causes of EP were: tuberculous (55%), idiopathic (16%), bacterial (8%), HIV-related (5%), uremic (5%), neoplastic (5%), lupus (3%), and rheumatic (3%). CONCLUSION: EFP is a frequent, serious, even deadly disease in Africa because of the HIV-AIDS pandemic. Treatment depends on the cause, most often tuberculosis.

Electrocardiographic Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Among Gambian Diabetes Mellitus Patients.

BACKGROUND: The global prevalence of diabetes and its complications is increasing worldwide. Its role in coronary heart disease has been linked with the presence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). The present study aims to determine the prevalence of electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy (ECG-LVH) in adult diabetic subjects, its epidemiological and clinical correlates. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study involving 534 patients was conducted at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (formerly Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital), The Gambia. Four hundred and forty patients were included using a standard questionnaire. Anthropometry, laboratory investigations and electrocardiogram were carried out. We used the Lewis, Cornell, and Sokolow-Lyon Voltage criteria to define ECG-LVH. Minitab™ statistical software version 13.20 was used for analysis. RESULTS: 146 (35.2%) patients had ECG-LVH using all 3 criteria and this prevalence was higher among women being 116 (79.5%). A generally high prevalence of overweight (155/37.4%) and obesity (119/28.6%) was observed among study participants, and both clinic-day systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) were significantly higher in those with ECG-LVH. Poor diabetes control was observed in both groups. CONCLUSION: There was a high prevalence of ECG-LVH and it is especially so with combining multiple criteria, hence the need for screening. Clinic-day hypertension was associated with ECG-LVH hence the need for diagnosing and aggressive treatment of hypertension in patients with diabetes mellitus.

[Vascular age and cardiovascular risk in patients suffering from stroke]. / Âge vasculaire et risque cardiovasculaire chez les patients victimes d'accident vasculaire cérébral.

AIMS: To determine the vascular age of patients suffering from stroke and their cardiovascular risk at 10 years and to compare their vascular age to their real age. MATERIAL AND METHODS: It was about a descriptive and retrospective study carried up from 1st January 2012 to 31st December 2013 at the neurologic clinic of the University teaching hospital Sylvanus Olympio of Lome from patients' files with a confirmed diagnostic of stroke according to the clinical examination and the scanner data. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety-four patients were related to our study. They were shared-out into 101 men and 93 women equal to a sex-ratio (man/woman) of 1.08. The average real age was of 57.6 ± 13.7 years. High blood pressure was the main risk factor with a prevailing rate of 86.6%, followed by the total hypercholesterolemia (54.3%), the hypocholesterolemia HDL (22.7%), diabetes (10.8%) and nicotinism addiction (4.1%). The average vascular age for all patients was of 68.23 years. The average difference between the real age and the vascular age was of 10 years. The average cardiovascular risk at 10 years in our study was of 13.2%. CONCLUSION: The vascular age of patients suffering from stroke at the University teaching hospital Sylvanus Olympio of Lome is 10 years higher than their real age. This condition considerably increases their risk of cardiovascular diseases. The screening and the early care about vascular risk factors appear therefore of utmost importance.

[Knowledge, attitudes and practices related to venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in hospitalists in Lome (Togo)]. / Connaissances, attitudes et pratiques sur la prophylaxie de la maladie thromboembolique veineuse chez les praticiens hospitaliers en médecine à Lomé (Togo).

The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and practices related to the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in medical settings in Lome (Togo). Hospitalists in Lome are relatively well aware of the risk of VTE in patients. They report risk factors for VTE as the primary indications for thromboprophylaxis. Few physicians cited acute medical conditions among these indications.

Electrocardiographic Left Ventricular Hypertrophy among Gambian Diabetes Mellitus Patients

Background: The global prevalence of diabetes and its complications is increasing worldwide. Its role in coronary heart disease has been linked with the presence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). The present study aims to determine the prevalence of electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy (ECG-LVH) in adult diabetic subjects; its epidemiological and clinical correlates.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study involving 534 patients was conducted at the Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (formerly Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital); The Gambia. Four hundred and forty patients were included using a standard questionnaire. Anthropometry; laboratory investigations and electrocardiogram were carried out. We used the Lewis; Cornell; and Sokolow-Lyon Voltage criteria to define ECG-LVH. MinitabTM statistical software version 13.20 was used for analysis.Results: 146 (35.2) patients had ECG-LVH using all 3 criteria and this prevalence was higher among women being 116 (79.5). A generally high prevalence of overweight (155/37.4) and obesity (119/28.6) was observed among study participants; and both clinic-day systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) were significantly higher in those with ECG-LVH. Poor diabetes control was observed in both groups.Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of ECGLVH and it is especially so with combining multiple criteria; hence the need for screening. Clinic-day hypertension was associated with ECG-LVH hence the need for diagnosing and aggressive treatment of hypertension in patients with diabetes mellitus

[Prevalence survey of cardiovascular risk factors in the general population in St. Louis (Senegal)]. / Enquête de prévalence des facteurs de risque cardiovasculaire en population générale à Saint-Louis (Sénégal).

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases are becoming with their risk factors a real health problem in Africa. The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in the general population in Saint-Louis, Senegal. METHODOLOGY: This is a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical made in May 2010, in the Senegalese aged 15, residing in the city of Saint-Louis, Senegal. A systematic random sampling and stratified cluster has been achieved. Cardiovascular risk factors for research were: hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, smoking, obesity, physical inactivity and metabolic syndrome. RESULTS: The survey involved 1424 individuals with 983 women (69%). The average age was 43.4±17.8years. The prevalence of risk factors was: hypertension (46%), diabetes (10.4%), total cholesterol (36.3%), hyperLDLcholesterol (20.6%), obesity (body mass index≥30kg/m(2)) (23%), abdominal obesity (48.7% according to International Diabetes Federation and 33.2% according to National Cholesterol Education Program) physical inactivity (64.7%), smoking (5.8%) and metabolic syndrome (15.7%). There was predominance in women of risk factors except for smoking and diabetes. The overall cardiovascular risk was high in 24.9% according to the Framingham model, 28.8% (European Society of Hypertension) and 6.1% (SCORE). CONCLUSION: This survey found a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in a general population in Senegal, predominant in women. This should lead to better develop a strategy to prevent cardiovascular diseases.

[A familial form of ventricular non compaction in a mother and two of his sons in St. Louis, Senegal]. / Une forme familiale de la non-compaction ventriculaire chez une mère et deux de ses fils à Saint-Louis du Sénégal.

We report a familial form of ventricular non compaction in a mother and two of her sons. It was a young man of 25 years who presented with NYHA stage III dyspnea and a cough with bloody sputum. The clinical examination found left ventricular failure. The echocardiogram done showed left ventricular dilatation with large trabeculae separated by deep intertrabecular recesses in both ventricles suggestive of a non-biventricular compaction. It was possible to note from the family screening by echocardiography of the mother and half-brother a left ventricular non compaction while they were asymptomatic. Thus we concluded a familial form of ventricular non-compaction. This is the first familial case described in Senegal.

[Prevalence and factors related to therapeutic adherence among black African outpatients with stable coronary artery disease in a cardiology department of Dakar in Senegal]. / Prévalence et facteurs liés à l'observance thérapeutique chez des patients noirs africains coronariens stables, suivis en ambulatoire en service de cardiologie de Dakar au Sénégal.

INTRODUCTION: The management of coronary artery disease has made important progress. Adherence to therapeutic measures is a great challenge for improving the long-term prognosis. In this work, we evaluate factors related to therapeutic adherence in black African patients with stable coronary artery disease. METHODOLOGY: We conducted a survey over three months (February-May 2008) in three cardiology departments in Dakar. We studied the regularity of drug intake, the adherence to the dietary advices and the appointments for consultation as well as the factors related to adherence. Good adherence was defined by a compliance rate greater or equal to 80% and a compliance rate less than 40% defined poor adherence. RESULTS: We included 105 patients (61 men) with a mean age of 60.67±11.29 years. Good compliance was noted in 56.2% of cases for drug treatment, 42% for dietary advices and 65% for appointments for consultation. A history of acute coronary events (P=0.04), a good knowledge of the disease (P=0.03) and a healthcare (P=0.02) were the factors related to a good adherence to drug treatment, whereas ischemic cardiomyopathy was a factor for poor adherence (P=0.002). Knowledge of coronary disease was the only factor correlated with good adherence to lifestyle (P=0.014). CONCLUSION: Therapeutic adherence remains unsatisfactory in Black African patients with stable coronary artery disease, hence the importance of patient education to reach a good adherence for therapeutic, because better adherence improves long-term prognosis of coronary artery disease.

[Venous thrombosis and bilateral arterial occlusion of lower limb revealing HIV infection]. / Thrombose veineuse et occlusion artérielle bilatérale des membres inférieurs révélant une infection par le VIH.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection can cause vascular complications. This is most often of lower limb venous thrombosis. Rare cases of limb ischemia indicative of HIV infection have been described.We report a case of venous thrombosis of the left lower limb and bilateral lower arterial ischemia revealing an HIV infection in a patient of 44 years. The CD4 count was 195/mm(3). Investigations on coagulation were not realized. The patient was amputated both his legs.

[Prevalence and determinants of hypertension in Lomé (Togo): results of a screening in May 2011]. / Prévalence de l'hypertension artérielle et description de ses facteurs de risque à Lomé (Togo) : résultats d'un dépistage réalisé dans la population générale en mai 2011.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of hypertension in the Sub-Saharan Africa region is increasing as a manifestation of the epidemiological transition, and this fact will oblige these countries to mobilize significant resources. World Bank estimates cheaper to prevent cardiovascular disease than to treat people once these diseases are established suggesting the need to know the prevalence of hypertension in order to allow prevention programs in our population. However, data in Togolese populations are rare. The purpose of the present study was to determine the prevalence of high blood pressure and its risk factors in Lomé. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional survey among 2002 unselected respondents of the municipality of Lomé in May 2011. A questionnaire has been filled about family history of hypertension, habits and practices that affect hypertension on behalf of each respondent and anthropometric data and blood pressure has been measured. RESULTS: The prevalence of high blood pressure was 36.7% (34.6% of male vs. 38.4% of female, OR=0.85; 95%CI=0.7-1.02; P=0.08); 42.4% of the hypertensive respondents have been diagnosed at the screening. Blood pressure was positively correlated to the age (SBP: r=+0.46; P=0.001; DBP: r=+0.36; P<0.001), the body mass index (SBP: r=+0.7; P<0.001; DBP: r=+0.89; P<0.001) and waist circumference (SBP: r=+0.28; P<0.001; DBP: r=+0.3; P<0.001). There was a significant relationship between arterial hypertension and obesity (OR=1.65; 95%CI=1.47-1.84; P=0.003), salt consumption (OR=1.4; 95%CI=1.13-1.72; P<0.001) and oral contraception (OR=2.1; 95%CI=1.29-3.43; P=0.002). CONCLUSION: There was a high prevalence and low awareness of arterial hypertension in the municipality of Lomé with a female prevalence. This affection was correlated to age, salt consumption and obesity. This study raises the need for accentuating the prevention in our poor populations which are unable to face adverse outcomes which can occur.

[Compliance to treatment in heart failure patients in Lomé]. / Observance thérapeutique de l'insuffisant cardiaque à Lomé

BACKGROUND: The incidence and prevalence rates of the heart failure in the world approach epidemic proportions. The evaluation of the follow-up of the treatment of heart failure can allow the setting up of strategies to reduce the frequency of decompensations and improve the quality of life of these patients. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the compliance to treatment and factors liable to influence it in Togolese patients suffering from heart failure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was carried out from January 1st, 2008 to June 30th, 2009 in the department of cardiology of the university teaching hospital Campus in Lomé and included prospectively, patients with chronic heart failure hospitalized for acute decompensation and of which the heart failure was diagnosed and treated for at least 3 months. Questionnaires were filled to estimate the compliance to medication, to diet, as well as knowledge of the patients on their disease and their relationship with their doctor and their family. RESULTS: In the 103 patients included, we noticed no good compliance to medication; there were 74.7% of bad compliance to medication, 47.3% of good compliance to diet; 62.1% of patients had enough knowledge on their disease, 29.1% considered that their doctor did not grant them enough time; 57.3% estimated to have no necessary support of their family. Bad compliance to treatment was correlated to the existence or not of a health care insurance (OR=115.5; 95% CI=21.51-620.08; P<0.0001); this difference persisted after adjusting for age, sex and monthly income (OR=99.65; 95% CI=18.87-587.21; P=0.001). Bad compliance was not associated with monthly income (OR=0.93; 95% CI=0.37-2.28; P=0.944); it was neither influenced by traditional therapy (OR=1.58 95% CI=0.64-3.91; P=0.43), nor recovery prayers (OR=1.6; 95% CI=0.62-4.13; P=0.45), nor frequency of tablets intake (≥3 intake day), OR=0.169; 95% CI=0.05-0.49; P=0.43. CONCLUSION: The compliance to medication in Togolese heart failure patients was very low and essentially correlated to the absence of health care insurance.

Infections secondary to pacemaker implantation: a synopsis of six cases.

INTRODUCTION: Permanent cardiac pacing is a technique whose indications have increased in the last 20 years. As with any foreign body, pacemaker implantation is associated with the risk of infection. The objective of this study was to describe the clinical, paraclinical and treatment options of infections secondary to pacemaker implantation at the Cardiology Department of the Aristide le Dantec Teaching Hospital (CHU Aristide le Dantec) in Dakar, Senegal. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study over a period of three years (from January 2005 to December 2007) during which pacemaker implantation was carried out in 107 patients. All patients with local and/or systemic signs of infection were included in our study. RESULTS: The prevalence of infection in patients with pacemakers was 5.6% in our series and infection occurred in three women and three men, with a mean age of 66.2 years (range 23-83). The delay time for the onset of clinical signs of infection was 6.6 months, with a range of eight days to 12 months. The clinical signs were externalisation of the pacemaker with suppuration (five cases), fever (one case) and inflammatory signs (one case). Factors favouring the occurrence of infection were co-morbidity (four cases), pre-operative length of stay (average eight days), use of temporary cardiac pacing (three cases), the number of people in the theatre (average 4.5), postoperative haematoma (one case) and repeating the surgical procedure (three cases). Staphylococcus epidermidis (two cases), Staphylococcus aureus (two cases) and Klebsiella pneumonia (one case) were the organisms isolated at the local site. Transthoracic echocardiography showed no objective signs of endocarditis. The treatment was antibiotic therapy for an average duration of 50.4 days after debridement of the infected site (six cases). We noted four recurrences at six months and one death from sepsis at 12 months. CONCLUSION: Infections secondary to pacemaker implantation are rare but serious. Their management is difficult and requires the removal of the implanted material, hence the importance of prevention of infection, or the removal and re-implantation of the pacemaker at another site in cases of infection. This is particularly important in our region where pacemakers are very expensive.

[Screening for asymptomatic peripheral arterial occlusive disease of the lower limbs by measuring the ankle-brachial index in the general population (Senegal)]. / Dépistage de l'artériopathie oblitérante asymptomatique des membres inférieurs par la mesure de l'index de pression systolique dans la population générale de Saint-Louis (Sénégal).

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAOD) and cardiovascular risk factors associated with the ankle-brachial index (ABI) in Senegalese patients aged 40 years and over. METHODOLOGY: We prospectively studied a random sample of Senegalese aged 40 years and older, residing in the city of St.-Louis, Senegal. The ABI was measured with a portable doppler (DIADOP 50) using 4 and 8Hz dual frequency probes. The standards were: normal ABI 0.9 to 1.3; peripheral artery obstructive disease (PAOD) ABI less than 0.9; incompressible artery ABI greater than 1.3. Cardiovascular risk factors were also studied. RESULTS: Seven hundred and seventy-one subjects (mean age 57 ± 11.2 years, 559 women) were examined. Cardiovascular risk factors were: sedentary lifestyle (76.4%), hypertension (68%), obesity (32.1%), elevated LDL-cholesterolemia (27.8%), diabetes (18.3%) and tobacco smoking (6.9%). Ninety-three subjects (12.1%) had PAOD and 37 subjects (4.8%) had an incompressible artery. PAOD was significantly more common in sedentary subjects (P=0.008), in the elderly (P=0.0006) and in patients with a history of coronary artery disease (P=0.04). Smoking was not strongly associated with PAOD. CONCLUSION: PAOD is common in Senegalese and is associated with high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors.

Vascular complications of infective endocarditis.

UNLABELLED: The complications of infective endocarditis (IE) are frequent and severe. Our objectives were to analyze the clinical, paraclinical, and prognostic features of IE vascular complications observed in two cardiology units, in Dakar. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied 90 patients presenting with of IE, hospitalized between January 2005 and February 2011. The diagnostic criteria for IE were modified Duke University criteria. We selected in our study population, patients with vascular complications. RESULTS: Seventeen patients (18.8%) presented with one or more vascular complications of IE: eight male and nine female patients, with a mean age of 28 years. Infective endocarditis occurred on an abnormal valve in 15 cases. We identified 22 vascular lesions: ten neurological complications, seven arterial complications in the limbs, two myocardial infarctions, two cases of pulmonary embolism, and one splenic infarction. The vascular complication revealed an IE in seven cases. The vascular complication occurred during antibiotic treatment, in 15 cases including seven cases before the 14th day, nine of the 17 patients died. Death was related to vascular complications in six cases, in one case it was related to septic shock. CONCLUSION: Vascular complications of IE are frequent, the most common are neurological. Their prevention requires early and adequate management of IE.