[Heart Failure at the Prefectoral Hospital Center of Kpalimé]. / HEART FAILURE AT THE CENTRE HOSPITALIER PRÉFECTORAL DE KPALIMÉ: Insuffisance cardiaque au Centre Hospitalier Préfectoral de Kpaliméc.

Introduction: L'insuffisance cardiaque (IC) est une issue majeure de santé publique avec une prévalence croissante, touchant aujourd'hui 1 à 3% de la population mondiale. Le but de cette étude était de décrire les aspects épidémiologiques, diagnostiques et thérapeutiques de l'IC à Kpalimé. Méthodes: Il s'agit d'une étude transversale descriptive réalisée sur quatre mois (janvier à mai 2023) portant sur les patients hospitalisés en médecine au CHP de Kpalimé et chez qui le diagnostic d'IC a été posé avec réalisation de l'échodoppler cardiaque. Résultats: La prévalence de l'IC était de 5,6%. L'âge moyen des patients était de 64,6 ± 17,7 ans avec prédominance masculine et un sexe ratio de 1,07. L'hypertension artérielle (83,8%) était le facteur de risque cardiovasculaire le plus retrouvé. La comorbidité la plus fréquente était l'anémie (16,13%). L'IC globale (54,8%) était le tableau clinique le plus fréquent. La fibrillation atriale était présente chez 12,90% des patients. Une dysfonction systolique du ventricule gauche était retrouvée chez 83,9% des patients. Les lésions cardiaques étaient dominées par la cardiomyopathie dilatée (58%) suivi de la cardiopathie hypertensive non dilatée à part égal avec les valvulopathies organiques chez 12,9% des patients. Les étiologies des cardiomyopathies dilatées étaient hypertensive (38,9%) et ischémique (22,2%). Les IEC et bêtabloquants sont les traitements de fond les plus prescrits. Aucun décès n'a été enregistré dans la série. Le taux de rupture thérapeutique était de 70% au premier rendez-vous de suivi. Conclusion: L'insuffisance cardiaque est une réalité à Kpalimé. Sa prévalence est sous-estimée en raison d'un sousdiagnostic. Sa prise en charge révèle un taux élevé de rupture thérapeutique. La prévention, le dépistage précoce et la prise en charge des facteurs de risque cardiovasculaire reste notre meilleure arme pour éviter sa survenue et ses complications. Mots clés: insuffisance cardiaque, épidémiologie, Kpalimé.

[COMPLICATIONS OF THROMBOLYSIS IN LOMÉ UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS]. / Complications de la thrombolyse dans les centres hospitaliers universitaires de Lomé.

Introduction: Les thrombolytiques sont des agents antithrombotiques capables de lyser un thrombus fibrinoplaquettaire et utilisés dans les pathologies thrombotiques artérielles et veineuses même si cette utilisation n'est pas anodine. L'objectif principal de notre étude était d'évaluer de façon générale les complications de la thrombolyse au cours du syndrome coronarien aigu ST+ et de l'embolie pulmonaire (EP). Matériel et méthode: Il s'agit d'une étude rétrospective et descriptive réalisée sur sept ans (janvier 2014 à décembre 2021) incluant les patients hospitalisés en cardiologie des CHU Campus et Sylvanus Olympio et ayant bénéficié d'une thrombolyse. Résultats: Soixante-cinq dossiers ont été colligés. L'âge moyen des patients était de 54,6 ± 15,5 ans dont 36 (55,4%) hommes et 29 (44,6%) femmes. La thrombolyse avait été réalisée dans le cadre d'une EP grave (54%) et d'un SCA ST+ (46%). La streptokinase était le seul thrombolytique utilisé, en association dans 87,7% des cas à une anticoagulation parentérale par l'héparine. Le succès de la thrombolyse était notifié chez 52 (80%) patients. Néanmoins des complications étaient survenues chez 25 (38,5%) patients dont 18,5% de réactions anaphylactiques, 17% d'hémorragies mineurs et 10,8% d'hémorragies majeures. Leur prise en charge était marquée par l'arrêt de la thrombolyse ou des anticoagulants, l'injection de corticoïdes ainsi que les mesures de réanimations et d'hémostase. La létalité de ces complications était élevée à 52%. Conclusion: La thrombolyse systémique est souvent le seul moyen thérapeutique d'urgence disponible dans nos régions pour le traitement des maladies cardiovasculaires aiguës (SCA ST+ et EP). La survenue des hémorragies peuvent engager le pronostic vital des patients. Il faudrait mettre en évidence les facteurs favorisants la survenue de ces complications. Mots clés: thrombolyse, complications, embolie pulmonaire, syndrome coronaire aigu.

[Evaluation of rule out strategy for patients with non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome with single measurement of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I from one sample tested beetween 3 and 6 hours after chest pain onset]. / Évaluation d'une stratégie d'exclusion d'un syndrome coronarien aigu non ST+ basé sur une unique mesure de troponine de haute sensibilité à partir d'un prélèvement effectué entre 3 et 6 heures après le début de la douleur.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines recommend to consider excluding non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) when high-sensitivity cardiac troponin is below the limit of quantification and a single blood sample is taken > 6 h after the onset of chest pain. The aim of our study was to assess such exclusion when a single blood sample was taken 3-6 h after the onset of permanent chest pain. METHODS: This observational study included consecutive patients admitted into the emergency room of our hospital with chest pain and suspected NSTEMI, with non-contributive electrocardiograms and a single high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) blood sample taken 3-6 h after the onset of chest pain and hs-cTnI < 4 ng/l (Abbott Diagnostic). Clinical follow-up was undertaken 1 month after admission. RESULTS: The mean age of the 432 patients was 48.5 ± 5.6 years and 51% were male. Based on a clinical algorithm, the pre-test probability of NSTEMI was low in 70%, and intermediate in 21% of patients. Among 419 patients with available 1-month follow-up data, there were no myocardial infarctions or deaths. Thirty-eight patients (9%) were admitted into hospital but none for cardiac reasons. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that exclusion of NSTEMI in patients with a non-contributive electrocardiogram and a single "negative" troponin test in a blood sample taken 3-6 h after the onset of symptoms is valid.

[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.

[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.

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.

[Management of high thrombus burden in primary PCI]. / Gestion des charges thrombotiques importantes en angioplastie primaire.

A large thrombus burden is not uncommon in primary percutaneous coronary intervention, and is associated with more frequent complications. The role of intracoronary thrombolysis and glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors in the management of a large thrombus burden is discussed. The use of thromboaspiration must follow a particular logic and used with rigorous manipulations; the capacities of the protective filters are often exceeded. Stents dedicated to thrombus management can be used. Interest and limits of these stents are developed. Direct stenting should be encouraged, and delayed stenting probably considered for the most important thrombotic burden despite "negative" results in studies.

[TIMMA: Ultrasonographic scale of carotid atherosclerosis by vascular neurologists]. / TIMMA : échelle échographique de la surcharge athéromateuse en carotide pratiquée par des neurologues vasculaires.

BACKGROUND: Carotid atherosclerosis is a powerful predictive factor of vascular risk at the individual patient level. Ultrasonography is a reference technique for the evaluation of this condition. However, its use in common practice remains difficult due to a lack of standardization and inter-operator variability. We present a new and simple technique for the assessment of carotid atherosclerosis; and evaluate the ability of vascular neurologists to obtain results consistent with those of an expert in vascular ultrasound. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The TIMMA scale is an acronym for the five classes of carotid atherosclerosis in French, VIMMA in English: very important, important, moderate, minimal and absent. Combined, the first two classes make up the group "significant atheroma" and the last three classes make up the group "no significant atheroma". This scale was evaluated in 38 patients (76 carotid arteries) suffering from ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack by five operators who are competent in carotid echocardiography: one TIMMA-trained (40 hours of training) vascular neurologist physician (VNP), three VNPs informed on the measurement method (1 hour of information) and one specialized vascular physician (SVP) who was considered to be the reference examiner. We evaluated the concordance between the VNPs and the SVP in classifying patients, firstly into the significant or not atheroma group and, secondly, into the five TIMMA classes. RESULTS: The evaluation of the two-group clustering scale found a concordance between the informed VNPs and the SVP on 76 carotid arteries of 86% (kappa=0.7) and between the trained VNP and the SVP on 58 carotid arteries of 90% (kappa=0.8). The positive and negative predictive values for significant atheroma diagnosis were 100% and 81%, respectively, for the informed VNPs, and 100% and 80% for the trained VNP. The evaluation of the Five-Class Scale showed a concordance between the informed VNPs and the SVP of 46% (kappa=0.3), and between the trained VNP and the SVP of 74% (kappa=0.7). CONCLUSION: TIMMA allows VNPs who are competent in carotid ultrasonography to reproducibly identify subjects with significant carotid atheroma. The contribution of this scale to the determination of cardiovascular risk should be evaluated.

[Assessment of treatment adherence among black Africans with heart failure]. / Évaluation de la compliance chez l'insuffisant cardiaque noir africain.

STUDY AIM: to analyze patient-related factors that may influence adherence in patients with heart failure in an African cardiology department. METHODOLOGY: This prospective observational study took place in the in-patient department of the Abidjan cardiology institute and enrolled consecutive patients hospitalized for decompensated heart failure from January to November 2014. The inclusion criteria were chronic heart failure in patients older than 18 years, developing for at least 6 months and treated by medication. The revised heart failure compliance questionnaire was used. RESULTS: The study included 121 patients. Overall adherence was poor in 88.4% of patients. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that use of traditional medicine was associated with poor adherence for the following 3 components: keeping follow-up appointments, medication intake, and sodium limitations. Overall adherence increased with the number of hospitalizations (OR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.13-2.53; p = 0.01). This increase persisted after adjustment for age, sex, educational level, marital status, medical insurance coverage and the use of alternative medicines (traditional and Chinese) (OR = 1.70; CI 1.12-2.28; p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Adherence among black Africans with heart failure remains poor, influenced too much by traditional medicine. Therapeutic education is essential to improve patients' knowledge about their disease and its treatment.

[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.

[Reperfusion in ST elevation myocardial infarction. From the guidelines to practice]. / Reperfusion des infarctus aigus avec sus-décalage du segment ST dans le RENAU/RESURCOR : des recommandations à la pratique.

BACKGROUND: International guidelines have recommendations for selecting the type of reperfusion (fibrinolysis or angioplasty) in the setting of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), and suggest that emergency-care networks adapt these recommendations according to the local environment. AIM: To assess the proportions of STEMI patients treated with fibrinolysis or angioplasty in accordance with regional guidelines. METHOD: Observational study based on a permanent registry of patients with STEMI of <12h duration in an emergency network in the French North Alps (Isère, Savoie, Haute-Savoie) from January 2009 to December 2012. RESULTS: The registry included 2620 patients. Reperfusion was given in 2425/2620 (93%) of patients. Reperfusion type was in accordance with recommendations in 1567/2620 (60%) patients. Guideline-recommended fibrinolysis and angioplasty were performed in 47% (656/1385) and 79% (911/1149) respectively, of patients. In multivariable analysis, variables independently associated with guideline-recommended reperfusion were: an age < 65 years (OR 1.60; 95%CI 1.33-1.90), being managed in Haute-Savoie versus Isère or Savoie (OR 1.38; 95%CI 1.12-1.71), an arterial tension < 100mmHg (OR 1.73; 95%CI 1.27-2.35), a cardiogenic shock (OR 0.50; 95%CI 0.30-0.84), a pacemaker or left bundle branch block (OR 0.49; 95%CI 0.28-0.88), and an initial management outside the network (followed by treatment in an interventional centre in the network) (OR 0.62; 95%CI 0.40-0.94). Patients initially treated by mobile intensive care units were more often reperfused in accordance with recommendations when admitted < 3 (versus ≥ 3) h following symptom onset (adjusted OR 2.05; 95% CI 1.61-2.59), while those initially treated by in-hospital emergency units were less often reperfused in accordance with recommendation when treated < 3h following symptom onset (adjusted OR 0.67; 95% CI 0.46-0.97). In-hospital major adverse cardiac events (9.1% vs. 8.5%) and in-hospital mortality (6.4% vs. 5.1%) were not significantly different between patients reperfused in accordance with (versus not) recommendations. CONCLUSIONS: Forty percent of patients with STEMI were not reperfused with fibrinolysis or angioplasty in accordance with regional guidelines. Characterization of this population should allow us to improve guideline adherence.

[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.

[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.

[Evolution of cardiovascular diseases' admissions in cardiology departments of Lomé hospitals: a cross-sectional study on 7959 patients from June 2004 to May 2009]. / Évolution des admissions pour maladies cardiovasculaires en milieu cardiologique à Lomé : étude transversale de 7959 patients de juin 2004 à mai 2009.

BACKGROUND: To determine the frequency of cardiovascular diseases, their risk factors as well as their evolution in two cardiology departments of Lomé. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out among patients attending two cardiology departments of Lomé, from June 2004 to May 2009, who had a diagnosis of cardiovascular disease. RESULTS: A total of 7959 patients were included. Female gender predominated. The mean age was of 49.5 ± 17.2 years. The number of admissions increased from 958 in 2004 to 2399 in 2009. Arterial hypertension (62.7%) and ischemic heart diseases (10.6%) were the most frequent diagnoses. Among patients with a diagnosis of heart failure, the etiology was not recorded for 12.2%. Overweight and dyslipidemia were significantly more frequent in women (P<0.001), while smoking and physical inactivity were significantly more frequent in men (P<0.001). During the period, there was a moderate rise of the prevalence of overweight, dyslipidemia, and physical inactivity, whereas the prevalence of diabetes and smoking remained almost unchanged. CONCLUSION: Admissions for cardiovascular diseases increased from 2004 to 2009. This epidemiological transition may be related to poor awareness of cardiovascular disease among the low-income population and the financial burden of health care.

[Arterial hypertension in black subjects over 50 years of age in Lomé: epidemiological aspects and evaluation of cardiovascular risk (prospective and longitudinal study of 1485 patients)]. / Hypertension artérielle du sujet noir âgé de 50 ans et plus a Lomé : aspects épidémiologiques et évaluation du risque cardiovasculaire (Étude prospective et longitudinale de 1485 patients).

INTRODUCTION: High blood pressure is a public health problem for which the assumption of responsibility remains especially difficult in older subjects. Generally, it is associated with other cardiovascular risk factors. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of high blood pressure in older subjects in a particular environment and to evaluate the cardiovascular risk among these patients. METHODOLOGY: This is a longitudinal exploratory study undertaken on 1485 hypertensive subjects of 50 years of age or older, selected from 1999 patients received in three health professional training centers of the community of Lomé, between June 1, 2004 and June 30, 2007. Information had been collected using a card of investigation. Classifications of high blood pressure were those of the JVCVII and the European Society of Cardiology. The data analysis had been made by computer tools. RESULTS: The prevalence high blood pressure was of 74.29%. We had noted a female prevalence (63.8%) with a sex ratio of 0,57 and one middle age of 62.08±9.3 years. Dyspnea (45.9%), chest pains (16.2%) and palpitations (13.2%) were the principal found symptoms. The various listed risk factors were: dyslipidemia (58.1%), obesity (36.12%), alcoholism (16.7%) and diabetes (10.6%). The complications were cardiac (87.81%), ocular (79.8%), renal (19.86%), neurological (4.92%) and arterial (0.99%). The cardiovascular risk was very high at 58.05% of the patients. The mortality rate was of 1.9%. CONCLUSION: High blood pressure is the most frequent cardiovascular risk factor in our country from 50 years of age. Assumption of responsibility for it is by information, education of the population and requires the mobilization of all the social components.

[Management of high-grade atrioventricular block in Lomé, Togo]. / Prise en charge des blocs auriculoventriculaires de haut degré à Lomé (Togo).

The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to describe epidemiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of high-grade atrioventricular block in Lomé. Out of 2245 patients hospitalized between June 2004 and May 2009, a total of 22 cases of high-grade atrioventricular block were detected thus a prevalence of 1%. The main symptoms were syncope and presyncope (73%) and dyspnea (50%). There was 77.2% of chronic grade III atrioventricular block and 22.8% of grade II atrioventricular block. A pacemaker has been established in 8 patients (40% of the patients presenting a class I indication) in VVI (R) mode. We noted 59% of deaths among patients who did not benefited from any cardiac pacing.

[Lower extremity venous thrombosis in Togo]. / La thrombose veineuse des membres inférieurs au Togo.

The purpose of this report was to describe epidemiologic, clinical, and paraclinical aspects and to identify etiologic factors associated with lower extremity venous thrombosis in Lome, Togo.

[Double thrombosis of left cardiac cavities: report of a case seen at the CHU Campus in Lome]. / Double thrombose des cavites cardiaques gauches: a propos d'un cas observe au CHU-Campus de Lome.

We report an observation of a double left thrombosis intraventriculaire and atrium at a subject 45 years. The diagnosis was made by the transthoracic two-dimensional echocardiography which showed a dilated cardiomyopathy and two bulky thrombi in the left ventricle and atrium. As the chirurgical treatment is not accessible, we use the medical treatment: anticoagulant treatment associated on the low salt diet, with diuretic and the inhibitors of the enzyme of conversion, the evolution was favourable without embolic accident.

[Ischemic cardiomyopathy in Lome: epidemiologic aspects and risk factors (study of 461 cases)]. / Les cardiopathies ischemiques (CI) à Lomé: aspects épidémiologiques et facteurs de risque (etude de 461 cas).

UNLABELLED: According to the WHO, cardiovascular disease such as arterial hypertension and ischemic heart disease will be the main non-communicable diseases in developing countries in the next decades. In Togo, there is no statistic on this disease on this day. Our objectives were to study the epidemiological aspects and to describe the risk factors of this affection in our surroundings. It is about a multicentric transverse study from June 1st, 2004 to May 31, 2007, in 3 sanitary formations of the city of Lomé. RESULTS: The frequency of ischemic heart disease was 11, 46%. There was a feminine predominance with a sex-ratio of 0.71. The average age of the patients was about 55.3 +/- 13.4 years with extremes of 18 and 95 years. The cardiovascular risk factors were: dyslipidaemia (76.9%), hypertension (75.3%), left ventricular hypertrophy (72.8%), abdominal obesity (71.1%), hyperuricemia (50.5%), hyperglycemia (41.9%) of which overt diabetes (29%) and smoking (3%). There was a feminine predominance at the hypertensive and the obese. The women accumulated more modifiable risk factors than the men. The middle risk indication was of 2.34 +/- 0.9 at the men and 2.55 +/- 0.8 at the women. The different clinical forms were: stable angina (71.2%), unstable angina (1.7%) and myocardial infarction (5.2%); silent ischemia represented 21.9%. The antero-septal territory was the more reached in case of myocardial infarction and the antero-lateral territory in case of ischemia. CONCLUSION: A sanitary politic centered on the eviction of the risk factors should help to reduce the prevalence of this affection for a long time in our surroundings.