Key result
In an outpatient population referred for echocardiography in Ghana, 61.3% had left ventricular dysfunction, of which 73% had heart failure with preserved ejection fraction at a mean age of 59 years.
Why the study?
As an economy transitioning to middle-income status with an expected epidemiologic transition, the epidemiology of left ventricular dysfunction among echocardiography referrals in Ghana needed investigation.
Cross-Sectional (n=594)
No
In a Ghanaian outpatient cohort referred for echocardiography, left ventricular dysfunction was highly prevalent (61%), with HFpEF accounting for over 70% of cases and occurring at a relatively young mean age of 59 years.
Introduction: Ghana is one of the fastest growing economies in sub-Saharan Africa which is expected to undergo a significant epidemiologic transition because of industrialisation and economic development. Having transitioned from low to middle income status recently, this study investigated the epidemiology of left ventricular dysfunction (LVD) in patients who were referred for echocardiography. Material and Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study on an out-patient population who were referred to the Precise Specialist Clinic in Kumasi, Ghana for echocardiography, from January 2016 to December 2018. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed and the results summarised in the proportions, tables and pie charts. Categorical variables and proportions were compared using Fisher’s exact test and test of proportions respectively. P-value Results: The results show that 61% of the out-patient population referred for echocardiography between 2016 and 2018 had LVD at a mean age of 59 years. In this LVD population, Heart Failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and Heart Failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) accounted for 73% and 27% respectively. The majority of patients with HFrEF also had left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, mitral regurgitation and tricuspid regurgitation.Conclusion: This study shows that, HFpEF was seen in over 70% of patients with LVD, and it occurred at a relatively younger age. Efforts should be made for prevention, early detection and control of conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and obesity which have been shown to be associated with HFpEF.
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Owusu et al. (2019) conducted a cross-sectional in Left Ventricular Dysfunction (n=594). Left ventricular dysfunction was evaluated on Prevalence of left ventricular dysfunction (LVD). In an outpatient population referred for echocardiography in Ghana, 61.3% had left ventricular dysfunction, of which 73% had heart failure with preserved ejection fraction at a mean age of 59 years.
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