TITLE:
An Assessment of Cardiovascular Functional Capacity of a Group of Chronic Heart Failure Patients Using the 6-Minute Walk Test in a Cameroonian Urban Setting
AUTHORS:
Félicité Kamdem, Chris Nadège Nganou-Gnindjio, Dieudonné Danwe, Franc Christ-Roi Soemessabot, Elysée Claude Bika Léle, Ba Hamadou, Sidick Mouliom, Lade Viché, Henri Ngoté, Caroline Kenmegne, Marie Solange Ndom Ebongue, Siddikatou Djibrilla, William Ngatchou
KEYWORDS:
Cardiovascular Functional Capacity, Chronic Heart Failure, 6-Minute Walk Test, Cameroon
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases,
Vol.13 No.6,
June
25,
2023
ABSTRACT: Background: Chronic heart failure is a public health problem worldwide. It has a high mortality rate and is accompanied by a decreased functional capacity and alteration of the quality of life. Objective: This study aimed to assess the cardiovascular functional capacity of a group of patients suffering from heart failure using the 6-minute walk test (6 MWT). Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out in the cardiology unit of Douala’s general hospital for 4 months. We included all eligible patients aged 18 years or more who had stable chronic heart failure and gave informed consent. Those who had an acute coronary syndrome (≤1 month), tachycardia (HR ≥ 120 bpm), high blood pressure (SBP ≥ 180 mmHg and/or DBP ≥ 100 mmHg) and reduced mobility due to orthopaedic reasons were excluded. A 6 MWT was done according to the American Thoracic Society guidelines. The 6 MWT result was considered poor for - 450 m and good for >450 m. Results: We recruited a total of 81 patients (61.7% women) with a mean age of 65.9 ± 10.6 years. The most frequent risk factorfor heart failure was high blood pressure (77.8%), alcohol consumption(69.1%) and a sedentary lifestyle (53.1%). The left ventricular ejection fraction was mostly preserved (42.0%) or mildly altered (46.9). The 6 MWT results were poor in 55.6% of cases, average in 19.8% of cases and good in only 24.7% of cases. More than half (59.3%) of the participants perceived the effort as being difficult. The cardiovascular functional capacity was significantly associatedwith age, heart failure stage and physical activity (p Conclusion: Most patients suffering from chronic stable heart failure in the general hospital of Douala have poor cardiovascular functional capacity.