Screening of Myocardial Cardiotoxicity Induced by Anticancer Chemotherapy and the Importance of Global Longitudinal Strain

Introduction: The improvement of survival in patients with cancer and the expansion of therapeutic options have led to the emergence of a new profile of cardiotoxicity, specifically associated with antimitotic agents. Our study aimed to assess the incidence of chemotherapy-induced myocardial toxicity in patients with cancer. Patients and Methods: We conducted a looking-forward longitudinal cohort study including all patients admitted to the Cardiology departments of Aristide le Dantec Hospital and Dalal Jamm National Hospital Centre for apre-chemotherapy check-up. The included patients did not undergo any pre-existing cardiopathy. Results: Over a period of two years ranging from January 2019 to December 2021, a total of 37 patients were included in the study. Notably, there was a female predominance (92%) with an average age of 49.7 years ± 13.69. Breast cancer accounted for 70% of the neoplasms. Laboratory findings revealed moderate anemia in 19 patients (51%). At inclusion, the left ventricle (LV) was of normal size (LV diastole at 44.46 ± 4.97 mm). The systolic function of the left ventricle was normal in all patients, with an average ejection fraction (EF) of 63.1% ± 5.80 and a mean global longitudinal strain (GLS) of −20.4% ± 2.58. The most commonly used agents were anthracyclines. During follow-up, 3 patients (8.1%) developed clinical symptoms of left heart failure, and LV dysfunction on echocardiography was observed in 5 (13.5%) patients, with a significant decrease in EF Conclusion: The incidence of cardiac toxicity is not negligible, hence the importance of early screening. Strain imaging is an essential tool that should be performed as part of the assessment before chemotherapy and re-evaluated during treatment.

Rare Etiology of Reversible Hypokinetic Dilatated Heart Disease in Infants: Bland-White-Garland Syndrome (ALCAPA)

Bland-White-Garland syndrome or ALCAPA is an abnormality of birth of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery. It is a diagnostic and therapeutic emergency because it is a curable cause of hypokinetic dilated heart disease in infants. We report through this clinical case, the fourth case of infantile ALCAPA diagnosed in Senegal in a 7-month-old infant. The symptomatology began around the age of 2 months, with a grumpy state associated with more marked crying and moaning during feedings and bowel movements. The mother reported hospitalization for a severe lung infection when she was 6 months old. The examination noted an infant in poor general condition, retarded growth and weight, and a 3/6th holosystolic murmur at the apex. Troponinemia was positive at 43.90 ng/L. The electrocardiogram showed Q waves on the lower side, a sub endocardial lesion on the upper side and a ST segment elevation in aVR. Doppler echocardiography showed dilated cardiomyopathy with a mean alteration of systolic function of the left ventricle at 37%, a mean mitral insufficiency and a strong suspicion of a birth anomaly of the left coronary artery. The CT scan confirmed the diagnosis of ALCAPA. Surgicalreimplantation of the left coronary artery at the aortic level was performed at 10 months of life with a favourable outcome at D50 postoperative.

Epidemiological Aspect of ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) in Saint-Louis of Senegal

Background: Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) has become the largest and most common cause of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) related deaths worldwide, accounting for more than 50%. In Senegal, a few studies done on the topic showed a low prevalence of acute coronary syndrome in hospital settings. In the city of Saint-Louis in Northern Senegal, there is little epidemiological data on Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) and no study specifically concerned with ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) has been carried out to date. With this in mind, we conducted a study that focused on the analysis of STEMI patients hospitalized in the Cardiology Department of the Regional Hospital of Saint-Louis. The aim of our study was to collect and analyze the epidemiological aspect of STEMI. Results: There were 39 cases of STEMI, (i.e. 82.29% of ACS), giving a hospital prevalence of 8.21%. There was a slight male predominance with a male to female ratio of 1.05. The average age of our patients was 62.93 years ranging from 38 to 90 years. The average time between the onset of pain and arrival at the hospital was 50 hours, ranging from 1 hour to 720 hours. Patients received within the first 12 hours made up 66% (n = 26) of our population, among them, 80.76% (n = 21) (i.e. 53.84% of STEMIs) were able to benefit from thrombolysis. All thrombolysis was performed with Streptokinase. The mean time to thrombolysis was 6 hours ranging from 1 hour and 45 minutes to 11 hours. Arterial hypertension was the most frequent cardiovascular risk factor in our popular with a 43.6% prevalence, followed by diabetes (33.33%), then active smoking (23%). Chest pain was the most frequent symptom, reported in 34 patients (87.17%). The lesions on the Electrocardiogram (EKG) were located in the anterior territory in 64% of the cases (n = 25), in the inferior territory in 28% of the cases (n = 11), in the circumferential territory in 5% of the cases (n = 2), and lateral territory in 5% of the cases (n = 2). Twenty-five patients had a transthoracic echocardiogram, the left ventricular ejection fraction was preserved in 36% of the patients, 40% had moderate ventricular dysfunction and 24% had severe dysfunction. Segmental kinetic disorders of the left ventricle were noted in 18 patients (72%), akinesia in 7 patients (28%) and dyskinesia in 4 patients (16%). The average length of hospitalization was 8.43 days. Seven deaths (17.9%) were recorded during the study. Coronary angiography was performed in six patients (15.38%), and was abnormal in five cases. Conclusion: ST-segment Elevation Myocardial Infarctions remain a major public health issue in Senegal due to their increasing prevalence and poor prognosis due to delayed diagnosis and management.

St-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction with Multiple Complications: A Case Report

Introduction: ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) usually involves complete thrombotic occlusion of a coronary artery and require urgent reperfusion;it is one of the leading cause of global mortality and morbidity worldwide. A variety of mechanical, rhythmic, conductive, embolic or hemodynamic complications can occur following STEMI, especially when the treatment is delayed or inadequate. Clinical presentation: A 58-year-old patient with hypertension was admitted to our department for a circumferential STEMI complicated by an ischemic stroke;received 24 hours after the onset of pain. His blood pressure was 100/60 mmHg, heart rate was 55 beats/min. The examination revealed right central facial paralysis and a slight motor deficit of the right upper limb (muscle strength 4/5). The first electrocardiogram (ECG) showed a significant circumferential ST-segment elevation with Q waves in the same territory, as well as a Luchiani Wenckebach atrio-ven- tricular block. The first echocardiography performed showed apical akinesia along with the presence of an apical thrombus. Coronarography was not performed because it was not available and the patient was given curative low molecular weight heparin combined with dual antiplatelet therapy, an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor and high dose statins. Seventy-two hours later, the ECG showed a complete atrioventricular block with narrow QRS and the average ventricular rate was 51 beats/min. The patient was asymptomatic. Another echocardiography was performed to assess new complications and showed a rupture of the left ventricular wall and a moderate amount of circumferential pericardial effusion, without any sign of cavity compression. No particular therapeutic attitude was adopted apart from close monitoring with daily ECG and echocardiography. Ten days later, spontaneous regression of the AV Bloc was noted. Conclusion: ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. A variety of complications can occur after myocardial infarction, especially when revascularisation is delayed or inadequate.

Brugada Syndrome Type 1 Electrocardiogram Pattern Induced by Fever in a Black African: A Case Report

Brugada syndrome is a channelopathy that can be familial or sporadic. It is a major cause of sudden death in young people with no obvious heart structural abnormality. The electrocardiogram can be dynamic over time with sometimes normalization. Several pathophysiological conditions are known to induce the electrocardiographic expression of the syndrome. We report here the case of a 65-year-old hypertensive man, without syncope or family sudden death history who was hospitalized for shigella gastroenteritis. Electrocardiogram during fever showed an incomplete block and ST segment elevation with negative T waves in V1 and V2 suggested type 1 Brugada syndrome. Troponin was negative. Electrocardiogram after fever recovered an incomplete right block and normalization of the ST segment. Electrocardiogram should be performed in patients admitted to the emergency unit for infectious syndrome in our countries. This may reveal a number of patients with Brugada syndrome abnormalities.

Cardiac Rehabilitation in the Elderly

Introduction: The purpose of cardiac rehabilitation is to improve the effects of aging and maintain a good quality of life for older individuals. This study aims to assess how cardiac rehabilitation affects the autonomy and quality of life of older adults. Patients and Method: This was a longitudinal, descriptive and comparative before-and-after cardiovascular rehabilitation study conducted over a two-year period from January 2019 to December 2021. This study was conducted at four cardiac rehabilitation units in Dakar: the Aristide Le Dantec Hospital (HALD), National Dalal Jamm Hospital, and the General Idrissa Pouye Hospital (HOGIP). We compared the degree of autonomy, dependence and quality of life of subjects aged over 65 before and after the cardiac rehabilitation program using the Katz index, the Lowton index and the SF12 quality-of-life questionnaire. Results: Over a two-year period, a total of 345 patients had benefited from a complete cardiovascular rehabilitation program in the four cardiovascular rehabilitation units in Dakar, and 86 patients, or 24.92% of the population, were at least 65 years old. The patients were predominantly male (sex ratio M/F = 4.73). The mean age was 70.35 ± 4.55 years for men and 69.27 ± 4.59 years for women. The main pathology motivating cardiac rehabilitation was ischemic heart disease, which was found in 73 patients (84.88%). Initial assessment revealed exertional dyspnea in 35 patients (40.69%), followed by residual exertional angina in 21 patients (4.41%). Mean functional capacity increased from 5.81 ± 2.38 Mets in pre-cardiac rehabilitation to 8.68 ± 2.28 Mets in post-cardiac rehabilitation (p < 0.001). The mean distance covered in the 6-minute walk test increased from 330.42 ± 170.50 m in pre-cardiac rehabilitation to 524 ± 98.54 m in post-cardiac rehabilitation (p = 0.119). The Lowton dependency index in pre-cardiac rehabilitation was 44.18% versus 36.04% in post-cardiac rehabilitation (p = 0.0156). The mental quality of life score was 42.15 ± 10.27 in pre-cardiac rehabilitation versus 52.94 ± 10.86 in post-cardiac rehabilitation (p Conclusion: This study demonstrates the effectiveness of the cardiac rehabilitation program in elderly subjects. In fact, this well-managed, well-structured and well-supervised program enables this population to regain their autonomy, improve their quality of life and functional capacities, and consequently their prognosis.

Mitral Valve Abnormalities during Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Study on a Cohort in Dakar

INTRODUCTION: Mitral valve abnormalities in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) are becoming increasingly well defined, and their role in intra-ventricular obstruction is well defined. The aim of this study was to evaluate mitral valve abnormalities in patients with HCM. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study from May 1 to July 1, 2022 in the Cardiology Department of Aristide Le Dantec Hospital. All patients with HCM aged at least 18 years old were included. The parameters studied concerned mainly the mitral valvular apparatus (papillary muscles abnormalities, leaflet length, mitral insufficiency). RESULTS: A total of 10 patients were included. Mean age was 58.3. On Doppler echocardiography, mean interventricular septal thickness was 20.6 mm. The mean maximum intra-ventricular gradient was 21.06 mmHg. Two patients had significant intraventricular obstruction. The mean length of the anterior mitral valve leaflet was 28.7 ± 3.55 mm, with extremes of 22 and 33 mm. The posterior mitral leaflet averaged 14.8 ± 3.16 mm. Nine (9) out of 10 patients had an elongated anterior valve leaflet. Elongation of the posterior leaflet was noted in 6 patients. With regard to papillary muscle position, 6 patients had an anterolateral ascending pillary muscle. These patients had a mean intra-ventricular gradient of 25 mmHg, compared with 16.5 mmHg in the others cases. We found no direct insertion on the mitral valve. Mitral insufficiency was noted in 9 patients, including 5 with mild insufficiency and 4 with moderate one. CONCLUSION: Mitral valve abnormalities in HCM appear to be frequent. They should be analyzed for a better diagnostic and therapeutic approach.

Study of the Right Heart of High-Level African Adult Athletes: Electrocardiographic and Echocardiographic Aspects

Despite the growing interest in athlete’s right ventricle and various work carried out, many uncertainties are remaining. The interest of this work resides in the determination of the particularity in right heart of the black athlete subject. We conducted a prospective study from August to October 2016 in the cardiology department of Aristide Le Dantec University Hospital in Dakar. The included patients were divided according to the sporting practice as enduring, resistant and non-athletes. The parameters studied were electrocardiographic (atrial or ventricular hypertrophies), echocardiographic: dimensions of the right cavities, systolic and diastolic functions of the right ventricle. We included 58 subjects: 38 athletes including 28 endurance and 10 resistance and 20 non-athletes. The average age of the endurance athletes was 21.9 ± 3, 75 years, 26.30 ± 4.64 in resistance ones and 24.10 ± 1.89 in the non-athletic group. Two cases of first-degree atrioventricular block were recorded in athletes. On the echocardiographic point, the atrium surfaces, as well as the transverse diameter, were greater in athletes, especially in the endurance group. The mean diameters of the admission chamber and those of the right ventricular flush chamber were larger in the group of endurance athletes. It was the same for the annular and sagittal basal mean diameters of the RV as well as the RV/LV ratio. The anterior wall of the right ventricle was larger in athletes compared to non-athletes. The vena cava was greater in athletes, the pulmonary arterial pressure higher in resistance ones.

Sudden Cardiac Death: Clinical Perspectives from the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Nigeria

Despite tremendous advances in the management of cardiovascular diseases and cardiac arrest, there is paucity of information regarding sudden cardiac death in sub-Saharan Africa. We present a two-year review of sudden cardiac death cases among patients managed at a Nigerian tertiary hospital. Patients admitted from January 2012 to December 2013 were prospectively followed-up and cases of sudden cardiac death identified. Diagnosis was based on records of events preceding death, direct interview of attending physician/nurses, and family members/eye witnesses for out-of-hospital sudden cardiac death. Causes of death were obtained from the death certificates for cases of in-hospital events. Three hundred and eighty eight (M:F = 1:1.3) patients with a mean age of 42.22 ± 19.30 years were admitted into the cardiac unit during the period, out of whom 56 (14.4%) died. Twenty three (41.1%) were classified as sudden cardiac death. The predominant etiology was ischemic cardiomyopathy (39.1%), followed by peripartum cardiomyopathy (21.7%) and dilated cardiomyopathy (17.4%). Rheumatic heart disease was diagnosed in 17.4%, while 4.3% had pulmonary hypertension. Nineteen (82.6%) of the subjects had congestive cardiac failure. Hypokalemia and hypocalcaemia were recorded in 2 (8.7%) patients who developed prolongation of the QT interval following commencement of diuretics. Chest-compression-only cardiopulmonary resuscitation was attempted in 12 (52.1%) with a success rate of 8.3%. Sudden cardiac death is common among our patients admitted with cardiovascular diseases. The most common etiology is ischemic cardiomyopathy, followed by peripartum cardiomyopathy. Most of the victims were young, and there were no optimum resuscitative measures.

Deep Vein Thrombosis of the Upper Limb: About 6 Cases Collected in Dakar

Deep vein thrombosis of the upper limb is a rare location of venous thromboembolic disease. Data on this form of thrombosis are limited. We report six cases collected in Dakar. The sex ratio was 0.5 and the average age was 27.6 years with extremes of 17 and 39. Painful limb edema was the most constant sign and involved the non-dominant limb in almost all patients. Thrombosis occurred in a field of peripartum cardiomyopathy in two patients and SS sickle cell disease in one patient taking oral contraception. There was neither cancer nor venous catheter in medical history. The diagnosis was made by venous Doppler ultrasound in all patients. Subclavian involvement was the most common. The thrombophilia assessment, done for two patients, was normal. It was about exertion thrombosis on three (3) patients. All the patients had received antivitamin K treatment relaying a low molecular weight heparin. Venous limb compression was associated with anticoagulation for all patients. The treatment duration was six (6) months. There were no reports of pulmonary embolism or death. One patient presented a post-thrombotic syndrome.

Cardiac MRI: Luxury or Necessity, beyond the Electrocardiogram and Biology in the Management of Acute Coronary Syndrome in Young Patients? About 2 Cases Reports in Sub-Saharan Environment

Introduction: Precordial pain is a common reason for admission in cardiology, and has many causes. Acute myocarditis in its pseudo-infarctoid form is sometimes difficult to differentiate from myocardial infarction. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) helps to differentiate these two disease entities. We report the respective cases of two young patients, one presenting with myocarditis whilst the other with myocardial infarction. Case Report: We present the cases of two patients. The first who had a recent history of febrile syndrome is a 23-year-old who stopped smoking 3 months prior to presentation whilst the second is a 22-year-old professional footballer with a history of stress with no other cardiovascular risk factors. They were respectively admitted in our emergency department for a constrictive, intense chest pain. Physical examination was normal. The chest pain in both patients was associated with elevated cardiac markers, primary repolarisation abnormalities on ECG, wall motion abnormalities as well as left ventricular systolic dysfunction on transthoracic echocardiography. Coronary angiograms were normal in both patients. In the first patient, MRI concluded with an acute myocarditis with apical akinesia extending to the anterior wall, a T2 hypersignal indicative of myocardial edema, and uptake of a nodular heterogeneous contrast without affecting the sub-endocardial layers on the late enhancement sequences. In the second patient, MRI showed an appearance consistent with acute extensive infarction in the antero-apical region with severe hypokinesia and late quasi-transmural enhancement, impairment of the anterior papillary muscle of the mitral valve and a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction at 33%. In addition to analgesics, the first patient was treated with perindopril and bisoprolol, and the second patient received antithrombotic and anticoagulant treatment. There was clinical improvement in both patients. Conclusion: Cardiac MRI is a useful diagnostic tool for the precise diagnosis of precordial pain with elevated cardiac enzymes, especially in young patients.

Atrial Fibrillation in Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome: About a Case in Senegal

WOLFF PARKINSON and WHITE (WPW) syndrome is the most common form of pre-excitation. It is associated in some cases with atrial fibrillation with a high risk of sudden death. We report the case of a 64-year-old hypertensive woman with a history of ischemic stroke. She presented with hyperkinetic palpitations without hemodynamics instability on admission. The electrocardiogram recorded a complete tachyarrhythmia by pre-excitation atrial fibrillation, with a mean rate of 300 beats per minute. Electrophysiological investigation revealed an accessory pathway located at the ostium of the coronary sinus, which was successfully ablated by radiofrequency. A drug treatment based on flecaine 100 mg was introduced. The patient was asymptomatic after one month of outpatient follow-up.

Compressive Pericardial Teratoma about a Case at Regional Hospital of Saint Louis/Senegal

Introduction: Cardiac tumors in children are rare. Most are discovered in children under one year of age. Echocardiography is the basic examination for the screening, it allows their detection from the fetal stage. Observation: She was a 14-year-old patient with no known history of pathology. She was admitted to our department for the exploration of dyspnea and chest pain. At her admission, she had stable hemodynamics. At cardiac auscultation, heart sounds were muffled. The EKG recorded a sinus rhythm, and negative T-waves from V1 to V4. The chest X-ray showed cardiomegaly and a dense, rounded, heterogeneous left hilar opacity, well limited. Echocardiography objected to a great intrapericardial mass in front of the left cardiac cavities compressing part of the left atrium and left ventricle associated with an important pericardial effusion. The CT scan found a heterogeneous pericardial suspected myxoma mass. The pathological examination confirmed pericardial teratoma. The patient had an excision of the pericardial mass. The evolution after surgery was favorable. Conclusion: Intra-pericardial teratomas are benign tumor. Complete removal of the tumor is curative and without recurrence.

Atrial Fibrillation: Epidemiological, Etiological and Hospital Management Aspects in Thies (Senegal)

Introduction: The objective of this work was to describe the epidemiological, etiological, clinical and therapeutic aspects of atrial fibrillation (AF) in Thies, Senegal. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective, multicentre, descriptive study from February 1st, to May 28th, 2019 carried out in the 3 hospitals of the city of Thies that focused on patients with AF documented by an ECG. Valvular and non-valvular AF classification was used and the CHA2DS2-VASc score was used to assess thromboembolic risk. Results: We collected 67 patients with a female predominance (M/F sex ratio of 0.71). The prevalence of AF was 1.7%. The average age of patients was 66.67 ± 13.48 years. Forty-eight patients (71.64%) had palpitations and 32 patients (47.76%) had heart failure. Hypertension was the most common etiological factor found in 41 patients (61.19%) followed by rheumatic valvular disease in 25 patients (37.31%). The non-valvular AF was found in 42 patients (62.69%) of which 34 (80.95%) had a CHA2DS2-VASc score ≥ 2. Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) were prescribed in 47 patients (79.66%) and aspirin alone in 12 patients (20.34%). Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOACs) were not prescribed in any patient. Seven patients (10.44%) had a medical regulator treatment and no electrical cardioversion was performed. Conclusion: AF was a frequent rhythm disorder. Hypertension and rheumatic mitral valve disease were the most frequently associated etiological factors. The diagnosis was often late in the heart failure stage. Anticoagulant treatment was insufficiently prescribed and based exclusively on VKAs.

Characteristics of the Heart of School-Age Children in a Schistosomiasis Endemic Area in Senegal

Introduction: In Senegal, surveys have revealed areas of high endemicity of?Schistosomiasis including the town of Richard Toll. We undertook this study?to determine the echocardiocardiographic characteristics of school-agechildren in endemic bilharziasis. Methodology: We performed a descriptive cross-sectional study in Richard Toll and Dakar in school-age children. Results: A total of 250 children were included. There was male?predominance, age between 4 and 16 (10 years old ± 2.77). Hematuria was reported in 69.6% of cases in endemic areas. Positive testing for Schistoma h&aelig;matobium was found exclusively in Richard-Toll at 33.5%. The diastolic, systolic, basal and median left ventricle dimensions were larger in Richard Toll’s population compared to Dakar. It was the same for the right chambers dimensions. The average pulmonary systolic arterial pressure was greater in Richard-Toll: 26.38 ± 3.16 mmHg versus 21.82 ± 1.73 mmHg in Dakar (p Conclusion: The heart of the school-aged child in endemic area is characterized by larger cavitary dimensions.