Author/Authors :
Hamadou, Bâ University of Yaounde I - Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences - Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties, Cameroon , Hamadou, Bâ Central Hospital of Yaounde - Cardiology Unit, Cameroon , Halle, Marie Patrice University of Douala - Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences - Department of Medicine, Cameroon , Halle, Marie Patrice General Hospital of Douala, Cameroon , Kamdem, Félicité University of Douala - Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences - Department of Medicine, Cameroon , Kamdem, Félicité General Hospital of Douala, Cameroon , Mbia, Marie Aude University of Douala - Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences - Department of Medicine, Cameroon , Amougou, Sylvie Ndongo University of Yaounde 1 - Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences - Department of Medicine and Specialties, Cameroon , Amougou, Sylvie Ndongo University Hospital of Yaounde - Cardiology Unit, Cameroon , Boombhi, Jérôme University of Yaounde I - Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences - Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties, Cameroon , Boombhi, Jérôme General Hospital of Yaounde - Cardiology Unit, Medicine B, Cameroon , Mfeukeu, Liliane Kuate University of Yaounde 1 - Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences - Department of Medicine and Specialties, Cameroon , Mfeukeu, Liliane Kuate Central Hospital of Yaounde - Cardiology Unit, Cameroon , Nganou, Chris Nadège University of Yaounde 1 - Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences - Department of Medicine and Specialties, Cameroon , Nganou, Chris Nadège Central Hospital of Yaounde - Cardiology Unit, Cameroon , Menanga, Alain University of Yaoundé I - Faculty of Medicine and biomedical sciences - Department of Medicine and clinical specialties, Cameroon , Menanga, Alain General Hospital of Yaounde - Cardiology Unit, Medicine B, Cameroon , Kingue, Samuel General Hospital of Yaounde - Cardiology Unit, Medicine B, Cameroon , Kingue, Samuel University of Yaounde I - Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences - Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties, Cameroon
Abstract :
Background. Cardiac arrhythmia is frequently observed in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and it is associated with a high morbidity and mortality, but ECG studies in this group are rare. The aim of our study was to describe the occurrence, severity, and risk factors of cardiac arrhythmia in patients with ESRD in the North Cameroon region. Methods. We carried out a crosssectional study in the hemodialysis units of two regional hospitals in the cities of Maroua and Garoua, Cameroon. Over a four month period in 2015, we consecutively recruited consenting adult patients on maintenance hemodialysis for at least three months. A 24-hour Holter ECG monitor was placed just before dialysis. Ventricular arrhythmia was classified according to Lown classification. Results. 30 participants (63.3% males) were included in the study. Their mean age was 42 ± 15.7 years (range 30 – 67 years). Hypertension was the most frequent co-morbid condition, present in 21 cases (70%). On standard ECG, 25 patients (83.3%) had normal sinus rhythm while 5 (16.7%) had sinus tachycardia. The mean ejection fraction (EF) was 64.4 ± 15%, and ranged from 32 to 83%. The most frequent pericardial finding was effusion (46.6%). The overall average heart rate was 85.7 ± 14.8 bpm, and ranged from 62 to 120 bpm. The most frequent arrhythmia on Holter ECG was PVC of varying degrees seen in 26 (86.7%) of patients. This was followed by supraventricular premature contractions (21, [70%]), which were all junctional in origin. Of those with PVC, 12 (46.2%) had complex arrhythmia. Six (20%) patients had salves of Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVC). Conclusion. Complex Premature ventricular contractions frequently occurred in patients on maintenance hemodialysis. This was associated with left ventricular systolic dysfunction. This stresses the need for a comprehensive cardiac evaluation including Holter-ECG recordings this group of patients.
