TITLE:
Epidemiological, Clinical and Etiological Profile of Rhythmic Emergencies at the University Hospital of Brazzaville, Republic of Congo
AUTHORS:
Suzy Gisèle Kimbally-Kaky, Thibaut Naïbe Gankama, Eric Gibrel Kimbally-Kaky, Jospin Karel Makani, Bijou Moualengue, Stéphane Méo Ikama, Soodougoua Baragou, Thierry Raoul Alexis Gombet
KEYWORDS:
Cardiac Rhythm Disorders, Atrial Fibrillation, Dilated Cardiomyopathy, Brazzaville
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases,
Vol.12 No.6,
June
30,
2022
ABSTRACT: Objectives: To describe the epidemiological, clinical and etiological aspects of rhythmic emergencies at the University Hospital of Brazzaville. Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive study conducted in the cardiology and internal medicine department of the University Hospital of Brazzaville from January 1, 2014 to June 30, 2016. Were included, all patients admitted for a severe rhythm disorder diagnosed on the surface electrocardiogram. Rhythmic emergency was defined as a severe rhythm disorder of abrupt onset and requiredrapid management. Data entry and analysis were performed with Epi Info software version 3.5.1. Results: During the study period, 2269 patients were hospitalized, including 138 for a rhythmic emergency. The frequency of rhythmic emergencies was 6.1%. The patients were divided into 76 women and 62 men (sex ratio = 0.81). The mean age of the patients was 63.1 ± 16.9 years (extremes: 17 and 91 years). The socio-economic level was low for 103 patients (74.6%), medium for 26 (17.7%), and high for nine (6.6%). The average time to consultation was 13.7 ± 12.3 days. On admission, the signs were: heart failure (103 cases; 74.6%) including 22 acute cases; dyspnea (94 cases; 68%); palpitations (38 cases; 27.5%); functional impotence (13 cases; 9.4%); collapse (nine cases; 6.5%); chest pain (two cases; 1.4%). The type of rhythmic emergency was: rapid atrial fibrillation (103 cases; 74.6%), ventricular tachycardia (14 cases; 10.1%), junctional tachycardia (10 cases; 7.2%), rapid atrial flutter (10 cases; 7.2%), tachysystole (one case; 0.7%). The context of occurrence was: hypokalemia (8 cases; 5.8%), drunkenness (two cases; 1.4%), acute gastroenteritis (one case; 0.7%). Cardiovascular risk factors were: hypertension (62 cases; 45.2%), smoking (17 cases; 12.1%), dyslipidemia (12 cases; 8.7%), diabetes (11 cases; 8%), obesity (10 cases; 7.2%). Underlying heart disease was: dilated cardiomyopathy (40 cases; 29%), hypertensive cardiomyopathy (26 cases; 18.8%), valvulopathy (24 cases; 17.4%). Ischemic heart disease, chronic pulmonary heart disease, and cardiothyreosis were noted equally (n = 5; 3.6%). No heart disease was noted in 24 patients (17.4%). Conclusion: Rhythmic emergencies are frequent in Brazzaville. They are dominated by atrial fibrillation and often occur on heart disease.