Prognosis of Patients with Pregnancy Hypertensive Disorders Followed in University Hospital to Parzakou in 2020

Introduction: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are often accompanied by cardiovascular sequelae. The objective of this study was to describe the prognosis in the postpartum period of patients with HDP in Departmental University Hospital of Borgou CHUD-B from Parakou in 2020. Methods: The study was prospective with a descriptive and analytical design and was conducted from January 2020 to September 2020. Patients with HDP were recruited from the gynecology-obstetrics department and each followed for 3 months in the cardiology department. HDP was classified according to the International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy, and blood pressure (BP) was taken according to WHO recommendations. Self-measurement of BP at home was performed to assess blood pressure control outside the hospital. Epidata 3.1 and SPSS 21 software were used for data processing and analysis. P values < 5% were considered statistically significant. Results: During the study period, the hospital frequency of HDP was 15.6%. The frequency of maternal complications in the postpartum period was 28% (severe hypertension: 23.2%;eclampsia: 3.6%;puerperal psychosis: 1.2%). At the end of the three-month follow-up, blood pressure returned to normal in 73.2% of cases;it persisted in 26.8% of women. Factors associated with persistence of hypertension after multivariate analysis were, overweight/obesity RRa 8.664 [1.566 - 47.941], (p = 0.013);family history of hypertension RRa 6.499 [1.493 - 28.289], (p = 0.013);history of hypertension in previous pregnancies RRa 7.764 [1.561 - 38.601], (p < 0.012). Conclusion: The frequency of HDP is not negligible at CHUD-B/A. The evolution of these HDP was marked in more than a quarter of cases by complications in the postpartum period followed by a persistence of hypertension 3 months after childbirth predicted by cardiovascular risk factors.

Prevalence of Hypertension during Pregnancy in Benin: Results from STEPS Survey in 2015

Introduction: Hypertension disorders of pregnancy are one of the leading causes of maternal and fetal deaths. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of hypertension among pregnant women having participated in the STEPS survey in Benin in 2015. Methods: This was a database analysis. STEPS survey included consenting adults aged 18 to 69 years, living in Benin for at least 6 months prior to the survey. The participants were selected in households by a three-stage random sampling technique. The World Health Organization (WHO) STEPS instrument was used for data collection. After an individual interview with the participant at home, blood pressure was measured according to WHO recommendations. Pregnant women database was extracted for analysis. A multivariable logistic regression was done for associated factors identification. Results: A total of 2800 women (out of 5127 people) participated in the STEPS study of which 240 declared to be pregnant. The mean age was 28.9 ± 6.8 years. The prevalence of hypertension was 13.3%. Severe hypertension represented 2.9%. Hypertension during pregnancy was associated with primary school education level (compared to none, adjusted OR = 0.3, 95% CI [0.1 - 0.9], p = 0.042). No significant association was found with behavioral factors. Conclusion: The prevalence of hypertension during pregnancy is high in Benin. In-depth studies and targeted interventions for prevention should be implemented.

Pathologic Q Waves and Prolonged QTc Time in Preoperative ECG Are Predictive for Perioperative Cardiovascular Events

Aims: The value of ECG in the perioperative risk stratification under modern treatment options is uncertain. The main objective of the present analysis was to determine the usefulness of a pre-operative ECG derivation for evaluating the risk of perioperative morbidity and mortality. Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of the prospective, international, multicenter, observational “No-Risk” Study (N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide [NT-proBNP] for the assessment of the perioperative cardiac risk after major noncardiac surgery) to determine the prognostic value of 12-lead ECG. Inclusion criteria were age >55 years and at least one of the following cardiovascular risk factors: arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, active smoking, and family history positive for coronary heart disease. The combined primary endpoint included total mortality, acute myocardial infarction (NSTEMI and STEMI), cardiopulmonary resuscitation, heart failure, and asystole or ventricular fibrillation during hospitalization. ECGs from 616 patients enrolled from 2006 to 2009 prior to noncardiac surgery in the No-Risk Study were analyzed. Results: The mean age was 67.6 (±8.1) years;300 (48.7%) patients were male. Fourteen (2.3%) patients suffered from the combined primary endpoint while in the hospital. In Kaplan-Meier analyses, a pathologic Q wave and QTc > 500 ms were significantly related to the incidence of the primary endpoint (p p = 0.042, respectively), whereas other ECG parameters such as LBBB, RBBB, PQ interval, QRS interval, and others were not related to worse in-hospital outcome. Conclusion: The 12-lead ECG is still an important diagnostic tool for perioperative risk assessment of cardiovascular events in noncardiac surgery in patients at risk.

Epstein Barr Virus Infection Induced Suspected Acute Myocarditis in COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: Epstein Barr Virus infection (EBV) could be associated with cardiovascular disease, including myocarditis. We informed a case of EBV infection presenting initially as myocarditis, followed 5 days later by the typical symptoms of infectious mononucleosis. Case Presentation: A 19-year-old man with persistent retrosternal chest pain was admitted to the emergency department. On physical examination, the patient had sub-febrile fever (37.2°C) and palpable cervical lymphadenopathy, with no hepatosplenomegaly. Initial ECG has repolarization abnormalities in leads II, aVF and III. Laboratory testing revealed elevated cardiac enzymes and liver enzymes (high sensitive troponin I levels 3000 ng/mL, aspartate transaminase 158 U/L, alanine transaminase 100 U/L). Blood white cells were 10,500 μL, platelet level were low 98,000 (thrombocytopenia), and lenfo-monocytosis in complete blood count. We hospitalized the patients the intensive coronary unit (ICU) because of high troponin levels. We recognized hypokinesia of the posterolateral wall of the left ventricle with mild impaired systolic function and increased perimyocardial brightness by echocardiography. Antibody serology tests showed that the anti-EBV capsid antigen IgM (EBV-VCA) was positive, EBV-VCA) IgG was negative. Other etiologies were excluded. Therefore, the patient was referred to cardiac positron emission tomography due to technic problems of magnetic resonance imaging device. We documented in positron emission tomography imaging that increased 18F-FDG uptake on posterior and posterolateral walls of left ventricle (indicating a large jeopardized area). We diagnosed suspected diagnosis of myocarditis without associated pericarditis. We monitored the patient and gave beta blocker, and aldosterone antagonists. Complications in the intensive care unit not occurred. We discharged patients after one week. After three weeks, we re-evaluated the patient. We not observed wall segment motion abnormality on echocardiography and liver tests were near normal. Conclusion: In suspected EBV myocarditis, 18F-FDG PET-CT cardiac positron emission tomography imaging represents an interesting noninvasive imaging technique to identify inflammatory processes in acute myocarditis and can be considered in patients with contraindications/unavailable to cardiac magnetic resonance.