B-Type Natriuretic Peptides (BNP) and Tissue Doppler E/e´ Before and After 4 Weeks Standard Treatment of African Heart Failure Subjects: The ABU-BNP Longitudinal Survey.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed at determining the response of BNP and tissue Doppler (TD) E/e´ to standard heart failure (HF) therapy in an African black population as data on these are lacking in Africa. BNP assessment in relation to HF severity and its association with its predictors were also determined. METHODS: It was a longitudinal-analytical study with a one month follow-up among 100 HF patients seen at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria-Nigeria. Two-way Repeated Measures ANOVA determined BNP levels before and after treatment according to the HF severity. Wilcoxon-Signed Ranks test determined the difference in BNP and TD E/e´ before and after treatment. Pearson's correlation assessed log-transformed BNP's association with its predictors. RESULTS: BNP significantly (p<0.001) rose with increasing severity of HF from 386.6 ± 186.5 pg/mL to 581.7 ± 299.0 pg/mL to 805.0 ± 484.0 pg/mL in the NYHA II-IV HF, respectively, with consequent fall in a similar fashion following treatment. The Median (IQR) BNP levels reduced significantly (p<0.001) from 450 (362.5, 712.5) to 275.0 (225, 375.2) pg/mL with a 38.9% reduction over 4 weeks associated with significant improvement in TD E/e´, structural and functional parameters. Ln10BNP was significantly (p<0.001) positively correlated to TD E/e´ before (r=0.51) and after treatment (r=0.43). Likewise, Ln10BNP was significantly (p<0.05) negatively correlated to ejection fraction & fractional shortening before and after treatment. CONCLUSION: BNP and tissue Doppler can serve as useful tools in the assessment of the effectiveness of African HF treatment and functional capacity over 4 weeks. TD E/e´ may be a reliable non-invasive estimate of left ventricular filling pressures and diastolic dysfunction.

Estimation of weight in adults from height: a novel option for a quick bedside technique.

PURPOSE: In critical care situations, there are often neither the means nor the time to weigh each patient before administering strict weight-based drugs/procedures. A convenient, quick and accurate method is a priority in such circumstances for safety and effectiveness in emergent interventions as none exists in adults while those available are complex and yet to be validated. We aimed to study the correlation and accuracy of a quick bedside method of weight estimation in adults using height. METHOD: The technique is estimated body weight-eBW(kg) = (N - 1)100, where 'N' is the measured height in metres. Adult undergraduates were enrolled 10/09/2015. Their heights and weights were measured while the formula was used to obtain the estimated weight. The SPSS version 21.0, Chicago, IL, USA was utilised for data analysis. RESULTS: We analysed 122 participants aged 21-38 years with height = 1.55 m-1.95 m. The actual body weight range = 48.0 kg-91.0 kg, mean = 65.3 kg ± 9.7 kg and S.E. = 2.0 while eBW = 55 kg-95 kg, mean = 69.1 kg ± 8.4 kg and S.E. = 1.5. On BMI classes, a positive predictive value of 94.7% for the 'normal' category and 95.5% for 'overweight'. Correlation coefficient at 99% confidence interval yielded (r) = + 1, (P = 0.000) while the linear regression coefficient (r2) = + 1 at 95% confidence interval (P = 0.000). The strength of agreement/precision was established by the Bland-Altman plot at 95% ± 2 s (P = 0.000) and kappa statistic with value = 0. 618. CONCLUSION: This unprecedented statistical characterisation of the two weight estimate measures to have a good agreement scientifically proposes the utility of our method with the formula eBW(kg) = 100(N-1) in critical care and ATLS protocol.

Prednisolone and Mycobacterium indicus pranii in tuberculous pericarditis.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculous pericarditis is associated with high morbidity and mortality even if antituberculosis therapy is administered. We evaluated the effects of adjunctive glucocorticoid therapy and Mycobacterium indicus pranii immunotherapy in patients with tuberculous pericarditis. METHODS: Using a 2-by-2 factorial design, we randomly assigned 1400 adults with definite or probable tuberculous pericarditis to either prednisolone or placebo for 6 weeks and to either M. indicus pranii or placebo, administered in five injections over the course of 3 months. Two thirds of the participants had concomitant human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The primary efficacy outcome was a composite of death, cardiac tamponade requiring pericardiocentesis, or constrictive pericarditis. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the primary outcome between patients who received prednisolone and those who received placebo (23.8% and 24.5%, respectively; hazard ratio, 0.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.77 to 1.18; P=0.66) or between those who received M. indicus pranii immunotherapy and those who received placebo (25.0% and 24.3%, respectively; hazard ratio, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.82 to 1.29; P=0.81). Prednisolone therapy, as compared with placebo, was associated with significant reductions in the incidence of constrictive pericarditis (4.4% vs. 7.8%; hazard ratio, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.87; P=0.009) and hospitalization (20.7% vs. 25.2%; hazard ratio, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.63 to 0.99; P=0.04). Both prednisolone and M. indicus pranii, each as compared with placebo, were associated with a significant increase in the incidence of cancer (1.8% vs. 0.6%; hazard ratio, 3.27; 95% CI, 1.07 to 10.03; P=0.03, and 1.8% vs. 0.5%; hazard ratio, 3.69; 95% CI, 1.03 to 13.24; P=0.03, respectively), owing mainly to an increase in HIV-associated cancer. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with tuberculous pericarditis, neither prednisolone nor M. indicus pranii had a significant effect on the composite of death, cardiac tamponade requiring pericardiocentesis, or constrictive pericarditis. (Funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and others; IMPI ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00810849.).

Contributions of pulmonary hypertension to HIV-related cardiac dysfunction.

BACKGROUND/AIM: To evaluate the prevalence of pulmonary hypertension among patients living with HIV/AIDS and to determine its contribution to cardiac dysfunction. METHOD: A hospital based cross sectional study was carried out over a 6-month period at the Jos University Teaching Hospital. The subjects were 200 confirmed HIV positive patients, ≥18 years of age who consented to the study. Physical examination, laboratory investigations, 2 dimensional and Doppler echocardiography were conducted on the subjects. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 38 ± 9 years, and there were 142 females (71%). Females were younger, mean age 36 ± 8 years versus 41 ± 10 years for males (p-value <0.01). The median CD4 cell count was 312 cells/µl, there were no homosexual or intravenous drug user among the subjects. Eight of the subjects had pulmonary hypertension, with a case prevalence of 4%, and this had no relationship to CD4 cell count. Both systolic and diastolic functions were worse in subjects with pulmonary hypertension, with a negative correlation between mean pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (mPASP) and parameters like ejection fraction (r = -0.28, p-value 0.0003), fractional shortening (r = -0.21, p-value 0.003), deceleration time (r = -0.13. p-value 0.09). CONCLUSION: Immune-suppression affects the cardiac function adversely and coexisting pulmonary hypertension contributes to poor systolic and diastolic function in affected patients. The subtle nature of presentation of pulmonary hypertension and other cardiac dysfunctions in HIV/AIDS patients demand a high-index of suspicion and early intervention if detected, to ensure better care for these emerging threats to our patients.

Rationale and design of the Investigation of the Management of Pericarditis (IMPI) trial: a 2 × 2 factorial randomized double-blind multicenter trial of adjunctive prednisolone and Mycobacterium w immunotherapy in tuberculous pericarditis.

BACKGROUND: In spite of antituberculosis chemotherapy, tuberculous (TB) pericarditis causes death or disability in nearly half of those affected. Attenuation of the inflammatory response in TB pericarditis may improve outcome by reducing cardiac tamponade and pericardial constriction, but there is uncertainty as to whether adjunctive immunomodulation with corticosteroids and Mycobacterium w (M. w) can safely reduce mortality and morbidity. OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of the IMPI Trial is to assess the effectiveness and safety of prednisolone and M. w immunotherapy in reducing the composite outcome of death, constriction, or cardiac tamponade requiring pericardial drainage in 1,400 patients with TB pericardial effusion. DESIGN: The IMPI trial is a multicenter international randomized double-blind placebo-controlled 2 × 2 factorial study. Eligible patients are randomly assigned to receive oral prednisolone or placebo for 6 weeks and M. w injection or placebo for 3 months. Patients are followed up at weeks 2, 4, and 6 and months 3 and 6 during the intervention period and 6-monthly thereafter for up to 4 years. The primary outcome is the first occurrence of death, pericardial constriction, or cardiac tamponade requiring pericardiocentesis. The secondary outcome is safety of immunomodulatory treatment measured by effect on opportunistic infections (eg, herpes zoster) and malignancy (eg, Kaposi sarcoma) and impact on measures of immunosuppression and the incidence of immune reconstitution disease. CONCLUSIONS: IMPI is the largest trial yet conducted comparing adjunctive immunotherapy in pericarditis. Its results will define the role of adjunctive corticosteroids and M. w immunotherapy in patients with TB pericardial effusion.

Determinants of HIV-related cardiac disease among adults in north central Nigeria.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the determinants of HIV-related cardiac disease (HRCD) among adults in north central Nigeria. This was a hospital-based cross-sectional study recruiting patients who were HIV positive attending the HIV clinic at Jos University teaching Hospital, Nigeria. METHODS: A total of 200 adults who were HIV positive and aged ≥18 years were consecutively recruited. All patients were administered a questionnaire and underwent clinical examination, laboratory investigation for haemoglobin estimation, CD4 cell count, viral load, serum lipid profile, hepatitis B surface antigen, anti-hepatitis C virus antibody, electrocardiogram and two-dimensional echocardiography Doppler studies. The outcome measure was echocardiography-defined cardiac disease, such as systolic dysfunction, diastolic dysfunction, isolated left ventricular dilatation, right ventricular dysfunction or pulmonary hypertension. RESULTS: The mean age of the study population was 38±9 years. The majority (71%) were women and were on average younger than the men (36±8 years vs 47±9 years, p<0.0002). Highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) use was seen in 84.4% of subjects. The median CD4 cell count for the study population was 358 cells/µL; the count was 459 (95% CI 321 to 550) cells/µL for subjects without HRCD and 193 (95% CI 126 to 357) cells/µL for subjects with HRCD (p<0.001). HAART-naive subjects with HRCD had a mean CD4 cell count of 121 cells/µL vs 200 cells/µL for those on HAART (p<0.01). CD4 cell count (OR = 0.25, 95% CI 0.15 to 0.45) and duration of diagnosis (OR=3.88, 95% CI 1.20 to 13.71) were the significant determinants of HRCD on multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Duration of HIV diagnosis and degree of immunosuppression were the significant determinants of HRCD. There is therefore a need to reduce cardiovascular morbidity in patients infected with HIV through early diagnosis/sustained use of HAART, early screening for HRCD and prompt intervention.

Arrow injury to the heart.

Arrow injury to the heart is a common cause of penetrating trauma in rural areas of underdeveloped nations. We report such a patient who survived 3 days after such an injury and traveled 1000 km with a pulsating arrow in the chest for treatment. The literature on such injuries is reviewed.

Acromegaly presenting as cardiac failure.

BACKGROUND: In acromegaly, specific structural and functional changes in the heart appear to contribute to the increased mortality in this disease. This disease is uncommon in Nigeria, West Africa and little has been published about it; also rare is clinically evident heart failure. We are therefore highlighting a late presentation of acromegaly as heart failure. CASE REPORT: A 45-year-old woman presented with a 4-year history of progressive increase in body size, lactation and amenorrhoea, and a six-week history of worsening symptoms of heart failure. Physical examination showed coarse facial features, spade like hands and feet, pitting pedal edema, galactorrhoea, and features of congestive cardiac failure. Chest radiograph showed gross cardiomegaly. On skull radiograph, destruction of the floor of the pituitary fossa was noted, with erosion of the clinoid processes. She had hyperprolactinamia. Fasting and post-glucose growth hormones values were elevated. Echocardiography revealed features of both diastolic and systolic dysfunction with left ventricular hypertrophy and dilation. A diagnosis of acromegalic cardiomyopathy in severe congestive heart failure was made. She was managed with anti-heart failure drugs with good results and subsequently began on a dopamine agonist. She was lost to follow up. CONCLUSIONS: Acromegaly is uncommon in our practice. This patient presented late with complications. Management was very difficult because of the combination of severe complications and lack of resources.

Role of pre-eclamptic toxaemia or eclampsia in hypertensive women attending cardiac clinic of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital Zaria, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Patients with pre-eclampsia and eclampsia constitute a special high risk group for future hypertension. They require a long term follow up to be able to detect and treat emerging hypertension early enough to prevent complications. Unfortunately, this is not so. This study was undertaken to find out the incidence of history of pre-eclamptic toxaemia (PET) in our female hypertensive patients attending cardiac clinic and to also determine the incidence of complications of hypertension in those with previous history of PET. METHODS: Fifty consecutive female hypertensive patients seen in cardiac clinic were recruited. Detailed history including full obstetric and family history was taken. A full clinical examination was done including blood pressure and a search for complications of hypertension. Findings were then analyzed and various frequencies determined. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients were studied. The mean age was 47.29 +/- 11.46 years. The mean SBP, DBP and MAP were 143.18 +/- 25.05, 90.49 +/- 14.19 and 108.12 +/- 16.71 mmHg respectively. Between the last child birth and the time of established hypertension in those who had PET ranged from 3-25 years. Sixteen, (32.7%) of the 49 patients had history of PET and 7(43.75%) of these 16 patients had complications of hypertension. CONCLUSION: The incidence of history of PET in our female hypertensive patients attending cardiac clinic is significant (32.7%). Also the 43.8% incidence of complications of hypertension seen in those patients with history of PET in this study is high. PET patients, therefore, constitute a special risk group for future hypertension. Therefore collaboration between the Obstetricians and the Cardiologists is important for patients with PET and eclampsia.

Left ventricular function in type 2 diabetes patients without cardiac symptoms in Zaria, Nigeria.

Fifty type 2 diabetes patients (25 of them being hypertensive) who had no cardiac symptoms had their left ventricular function assessed. There were 24 female and 26 male diabetes patients evaluated, along with a control group of 50 healthy subjects. The patients and controls underwent full clinical evaluation, which included physical examination, blood biochemistry (urea and electrolyte; creatinine, creatinine clearance; fasting blood and two-hour postprandial glucose levels, lipid profile), electrocardiograph, chest radiograph, and echocardiograph. The hypertensive diabetes patients had higher cholesterol levels, and 50% had levels >5.0 mmol/L. Sixteen patients had cataracts, 14 had background retinopathy, 12 had peripheral neuropathy, and 7 had peripheral vascular disease. The subjects had significantly lower ejection fraction than controls, and fractional shortening showed a similar pattern. Eight patients had ejection fraction <50% compared to none of the controls. Sixty-six percent of the subjects and 30% of the controls had diastolic dysfunction (reverse E/A ratio, prolonged deceleration time, and lower deceleration rate), respectively, but the diabetes patients did not show any difference. Diastolic dysfunction correlated significantly with age, fasting blood glucose, and two-hour postprandial glucose. The subjects had higher left ventricular mass (LVM) than controls. The LVM correlated significantly positively with diastolic blood pressure, systolic blood pressure, and pulse pressure. Subclinical diabetic cardiomyopathy exists in our patients; in addition, other risk factors for cardiomyopathy and coronary artery disease exist, including hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and obesity.