Victor O. Adeyeye

Two dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic evaluation of patients presenting at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex Ile Ife Nigeria a prospective study of 2501 subjects

Background Echocardiography remains a key noninvasive cardiac investigative tool in the management of patients, especially in a developing economy like Nigeria. In this study, we investigated the indications for transthoracic echocardiography and spectrum of cardiac disease found in patients referred to our cardiac unit for echocardiography. Methods A prospective two-dimensional, pulsed, continuous, and color-flow Doppler echocardiographic evaluation was done using the transthoracic approach in 2501 patients over an eight-year period. Univariate data analysis was performed for mean age, gender, clinical indications, and diagnoses. Results The subject age range was less than 12 months to 97 years (mean 52.39 years). There were 1352 (54.06%) males and 1149 (45.94%) females. The most common indication for echocardiography was hypertension (52.1%) followed by congestive cardiac failure (13.9%). Others were for screening (6.1%), arrhythmias (5%), cerebrovascular disease (5%), chest pain (3.3%), chronic kidney disease (3.2%), congenital heart disease (2.6%), cardiomyopathy (1.8%), rheumatic heart disease (1.7%), diabetes mellitus (1.3%), thyrocardiac disease (1.2%), ischemic heart disease (1.2%), and pericardial disease (1.1%). The echocardiographic diagnosis was hypertensive heart disease in 59.4% of subjects and normal in 14.1%. Other echocardiographic diagnoses included rheumatic heart disease (3.1%), congenital heart disease (2.1%), cardiomyopathy (1.7%), pericardial disease (1.1%), and ischemic heart disease (0.1%). Conclusion Hypertension and its cardiac complications is the most common echocardiographic indication and diagnosis at our unit.

Adherence to Antihypertensive Medications and Some of Its Clinical Implications in Patients Seen At a Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria

Abstract: Background: Adherence to antihypertensive is crucial to treatment success in subjects with hypertension. This study is aimed at assessing antihypertensive drug adherence using validated tool and its relationship with some demographic and clinical parameters in outpatient hypertensive subjects. Methods:The Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-4) was used to assess drug adherence status in 150 hypertensive patients who were consecutively recruited in a Medical Outpatient Department of a Tertiary Health Centre. All the patients had resting 12- lead electrocardiogram (ECG) done to determine left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). Data were analyzed with SPSS 13 and statistical significance of p< 0.05 was used. Results: One hundred and fifty hypertensive patients with a mean age of 61.53± 9.72years were recruited over a period of 6 months. Sixty seven (44.7%) were good drug adherers while 55.3% were not. Patients with poor antihypertensive adherence had higher Sokolow- Lyon ECG score (34.46 ± 7.87 vs. 22.96 ± 7.07; p= 0.07) as well as longer P wave duration on ECG (0.15 ± 0.03 vs. 0.12± 0.04; p= 0.03). There was higher rate of ECG LVH among patients with poor drug adherence (47.0%) compared to patients with good drug adherence (4.5%). Significant correlates of poor drug adherence were age (r= - 0.221; p=0.022) and BMI (r= 0.431; P<0.001). Conclusion:The rate of poor drug compliance was high with preponderance of LVH in poor adherer. Physicians will do well to engage their hypertensive patients on hypertension and its treatment with a view to improving drug adherence in them. Keywords: Medication, adherence, hypertension, electrocardiogram

Echocardiographic Assessment of Left Ventricular Geometric Patterns in Hypertensive Patients in Nigeria

Left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy is an important predictor of morbidity and mortality in hypertensive patients, and its geometric pattern is a useful determinant of severity and prognosis of heart disease. Studies on LV geometric pattern involving large number of Nigerian hypertensive patients are limited. We examined the LV geometric pattern in hypertensive patients seen in our echocardiographic laboratory. A two-dimensional, pulsed, continuous and color flow Doppler echocardiographic evaluation of 1020 consecutive hypertensive patients aged between 18 and 91 years was conducted over an 8-year period. LV geometric patterns were determined using the relationship between the relative wall thickness and LV mass index. Four patterns of LV geometry were found: 237 (23.2%) patients had concentric hypertrophy, 109 (10.7%) had eccentric hypertrophy, 488 (47.8%) had concentric remodeling, and 186 (18.2%) had normal geometry. Patients with concentric hypertrophy were significantly older in age, and had significantly higher systolic blood pressure (BP), diastolic BP, and pulse pressure than those with normal geometry. Systolic function index in patients with eccentric hypertrophy was significantly lower than in other geometric patterns. Doppler echocardiographic parameters showed some diastolic dysfunction in hypertensive patients with abnormal LV geometry. Concentric remodeling was the most common LV geometric pattern observed in our hypertensive patients, followed by concentric hypertrophy and eccentric hypertrophy. Patients with concentric hypertrophy were older than those with other geometric patterns. LV systolic function was significantly lower in patients with eccentric hypertrophy and some degree of diastolic dysfunction were present in patients with abnormal LV geometry.

Heart rate variability and arrhythmic patterns of 24-hour Holter electrocardiography among Nigerians with cardiovascular diseases

Background Facilities for Holter electrocardiography (ECG) monitoring in many Nigerian hospitals are limited. There are few published works in Nigeria on the use of 24-hour Holter ECG in cardiac arrhythmic evaluation of patients with cardiovascular diseases. Objective To study the clinical indications, arrhythmic pattern, and heart rate variability (HRV) among subjects referred for 24-hour Holter ECG at our Cardiac Care Unit. Methods Three-hundred and ten patients (134 males and 176 females) were studied consecutively over a 48-month period using Schiller type (MT-101) Holter ECG machine. Results Out of the 310 patients reviewed, 134 were males (43.2%) and 176 were females (56.8%). The commonest indication for Holter ECG was palpitation followed by syncope in 71 (23%) and 49 (15.8%) of subjects, respectively. Premature ventricular complex and premature atrial complex were the commonest types of arrhythmia in 51.5% and 15% subjects, respectively. Ventricular arrhythmia was more prevalent in dilated cardiomyopathy patients (85.7%). The HRV of subjects with palpitation, stroke, and diabetes mellitus with autonomic neuropathy, using standard deviation of normal to normal intervals average (milliseconds), were 107.32±49.61, 79.15±49.15, and 66.50±15.54, respectively. The HRV, using standard deviation of averages of normal to normal intervals average (milliseconds), of patients with palpitation, stroke, and diabetes mellitus with autonomic neuropathy were 77.39±62.34, 57.82±37.05, and 55.50±12.71, respectively. Conclusion Palpitation and syncope were the commonest indications for Holter ECG among our subjects. The commonest arrhythmic patterns were premature ventricular complex and premature atrial complex, with ventricular arrhythmia being more prevalent in dilated cardiomyopathy. There was a reduction in HRV in patients with stroke and diabetic autonomic neuropathy.

Evaluation of the indications and arrhythmic patterns of 24 hour Holter electrocardiography among hypertensive and diabetic patients seen at OAUTHC, Ile-Ife Nigeria

Background There are very limited published studies in Nigeria on the use of 24 hour Holter electrocardiogram (Holter ECG) in the arrhythmic evaluation of hypertensive and diabetic patients. Objective To evaluate indications, arrhythmic pattern of Holter ECG, and heart rate variability (HRV) among patients with hypertensive heart disease (HHD) with or without heart failure and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) seen in our cardiac care unit. Methods Seventy-nine patients (32 males and 47 females) were studied consecutively over a year using Schiller type (MT-101) Holter ECG machine. Results Out of the 79 patients, 17 (21.5%) had HHD without heart failure, 33 (41.8%) had HHD with hypertensive heart failure (HHF), while 29 (36.7%) were T2DM patients. The mean (standard deviation) ages of HHD without heart failure, HHF and T2DM patients were 59.65 (±14.38), 65.15 (±14.30), and 54.66 (±8.88) respectively. The commonest indication for Holter ECG was palpitation (38%), followed by syncope (20.3%). Premature ventricular contraction was the commonest arrhythmic pattern among the 79 patients, especially among HHF patients. The HRV using standard deviation of all normal-normal intervals was significantly reduced in T2DM patients (81.03±26.33, confidence interval [CI] =71.02–91.05) compared to the HHD without heart failure (119.65±29.86, CI =104.30–135.00) and HHF (107.03±62.50, CI =84.00–129.19). There was a negative correlation between the duration of T2DM and HRV (r=−0.613). Conclusion Palpitation was the commonest Holter ECG indication and premature ventricular contractions were the commonest arrhythmic pattern among our patients. HRV was reduced in T2DM patients compared with hypertensive patients.

Pattern of Abnormal Serum Lipids and Lipoprotein Ratios in Nigerian Hypertensive Patients Seen in Clinical Practice

Background: Hypertension is a major health problem worldwide. Its role, and other well - known coronary risk factors, especially dyslipidemia, in atherogenesis have informed estimation of cardiovascular risk. Hi therto, low density lipoprotein (LDL - C) and high density lipoprotein (HDL - C) are prominent in guidelines but attempts are being made to include the use of lipoprotein ratios to optimize the predictive capacity of lipid profile in risk evaluation. This stud y aimed to describe pattern of lipids abnormalities, including the common lipid ratios used in clinical practice and to understand if they differ more with abdominal obesity which compared with peripheral obesity in subjects with systemic hypertension. Mat erials and Methods: Two hundred and eleven new adult hypertensive patients were studied in a hospital - based cross - sectional study. Serum lipids were measured and lipoprotein ratios calculated. SPSS IBM 20 was used to analyze data.

Joint predictability of physical activity and body weight status on health-related quality of life of patients with hypertension

This study investigated the predictability of physical activity (PA) and body weight status (BWS) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with hypertension. A cross-sectional study involved 250 patients with hypertension (≥140/90≤179/109 mmHg) selected from government hospitals in Osun State, Nigeria. Purposive sampling technique was used to select participants. Socio-demographic characteristics and cardiovascular parameters were recorded. PA and HRQoL were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and Short Form health survey questionnaire respectively. Sufficient PA equals ≥150 min/wk while BWS was defined using body mass index classification. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Alpha level was set at P<0.05. Of all participants, 63.6% reported sufficient PA and 78.4% was either overweight or obese. The HRQoL of participants become poorer in all domains with higher body weight. The HRQoL including role limitation due to physical health (RLdPhp) and emotional problems (RLdEmp) had worst scores. Participants in the categories of normal and overweight/obese with sufficient PA demonstrated higher (better) HRQoL in all domains than those with insufficient PA (P<0.05). When adjusted for body weight, significant differences were found in all domains of HRQoL except in RLdPhp, RldEmp, and bodily pain (P>0.05). There were significant correlations between PA and all domains of HRQoL except in RldEmp, emotional well-being and bodily pain (P>0.05). Regression models established PA as a significant predictor of HRQoL. Sufficient PA is a better predictor of HRQoL among patients with hypertension irrespective of BWS. Regular PA is recommended for improving HRQoL among patients with hypertension.

Assessment of functional capacity and sleep quality of patients with chronic heart failure

Background: Adequate sleep improves physical and mental alertness. However, there is a dearth of empirical data on functional capacity (FC) and sleep quality (SpQ) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Objective: This study investigated the relationship between FC and SpQ of patients with CHF and apparently healthy controls (HCs). Methods: This case-control study recruited 50 patients with CHF whose left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was <40%, attending cardiac clinics of selected government hospitals in Osun State. Furthermore, 50 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals were recruited as controls. Socio-demographic characteristics and cardiovascular parameters were assessed. The FC (VO2 max) and SpQ were assessed using the 6-minute walk test (6-MWT) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), respectively. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Alpha level was set at p < 0.05. Results: Patients had a significantly lower FC and poorer SpQ than HCs, 4.6 ± 0.5 versus 11.3 ± 1.6 mL/kg/min (t = −3.452; p = 0.001) and 8.74 ± 1.6 versus 3.8 ± 1.3 (t = −5.371; p = 0.001), respectively. HCs were about five times more likely to walk longer distance [odds ratio (OR), 4.8; confidence interval (CI), 2.0–11.1] and had a better heart rate (OR, 2.8; CI, 1.4–5.3) than patients. SpQ had a significant negative correlation with FC of patients (r = −0.362; p = 0.001) but a significant positive correlation with HCs (r = 0.481; p = 0.041). Furthermore, there were significant correlations between FC and body mass index in both groups (CHF: r = 0.247, p = 0.022; HCs: r = 0.321, p = 0.040). Conclusion: Patients with heart failure demonstrated lower functional capacity and poorer sleep quality.

Comparison between treadmill and bicycle ergometer exercise tests in mild-to-moderate hypertensive Nigerians.

Background Comparative cardiovascular responses to treadmill and bicycle ergometer (bike) exercise tests in hypertensive Nigerians are not known. This study compared cardiovascular responses to the two modes of exercise testing in hypertensives using maximal exercise protocols. Methods One hundred and ten male subjects with mild-to-moderate hypertension underwent maximal treadmill and bike test one after the other at a single visit in a simple random manner. Paired-sampled t-test was used to compare responses to both exercise tests while chi-squared test was used to compare categorical variables. Results The maximal heart rate (P<0.001), peak systolic blood pressure (P=0.02), rate pressure product (P<0.001), peak oxygen uptake (P<0.001), and exercise capacity (P<0.001) in metabolic equivalents were signifcantly higher on the treadmill than on the bike. Conclusion Higher cardiovascular responses on treadmill in Nigerian male hypertensives in this study, similar to findings in non-hypertensives and non-Nigerians in earlier studies, suggest that treadmill may be of better diagnostic utility in our population.

Cardiovascular risk profile of post-menopausal women in a semi-urban community in Nigeria.

Aims: Menopause is associated with a myriad of chronic health risks. This study assessed the Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) risk profile of post-menopausal women from a semi-urban community in Nigeria. Study Design: Cross-sectional study Place and Duration of Study: Ife Central Local Government, Ile Ife, Nigeria Methodology: One hundred and twenty menopausal women aged 55 years and older participated in this study. The respondents were recruited using a multistage sampling Short Research Article British Journal of Medicine & Medical Research, 4(29): 4780-4790, 2014 4781 technique. The Framingham Heart Study Questionnaire was used to assess CVD risk level. Risk scores were classified as low (0-19), medium (20-29) and high risk (40+). Socio-Economic Status (SES) was assessed using a validated questionnaire while cardiovascular and anthropometric parameters were measured following standard procedures. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Alpha level was set at 0.05. Results: The mean age, weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) of respondents were 64.9±8.4 years, 73.4±15.2kg and 27.3±5.4kg/m2 respectively. A majority, 84(70.0%) of the respondents had high blood pressure, 77(64.2%) had over five years duration of onset of menopause while 13(10.8%) had high cardiovascular risk. Half of the respondents, 64(53.3%) were in the low SES class. High CVD risk was higher among individuals with over five years of menopause. Pearson Product Moment Correlation revealed significant relationship between CVD risk and each of age (r = 0.507; P = 0.01), body weight (r = 0.257; P = 0.01), onset time of menopause (0.359; P = 0.01), blood pressure status (r = 0.665; P = 0.01), occupation (r = 0.330; P = 0.01) and SES (r = 0.406; P = 0.01) among post-menopausal women. Conclusion: Prevalence of CVD risk was high among Nigerian post-menopausal women in a semi-urban community. Age, body weight, years of onset menopause, blood pressure, occupation and socio-economic status level had significant relationship with high cardiovascular disease risk.