Un cas de thrombolyse a la phase aigüe d’un infarctus cerebral avec le tenecteplase au Congo

Nous rapportons un cas de thrombolyse utilisant le tenecteplase, d’évolution favorable chez un patient de 49 ans, hypertendu, tabagique, admis pour une hémiplégie et une hémihypoesthésie gauches associées à une dysarthrie et une désorientation temporospatiale. Le score NIHSS initial était à 18. Le scanner cérébral réalisé à 2h05 du début était normal avec un score ASPECT à 10. Il a bénéficié d’une thrombolyse avec le tenecteplase 0,1mg/kg à 3h10. L’évolution a été marquée par une régression du déficit neurologique avec un score NIHSS à 1 à 24 heures. Le scanner de contrôle a noté une dédifférenciation cortico-sous-corticale avec légère hypodensité dans le territoire postérieur de l’artère cérébrale moyenne droite. Le traitement par thrombolytique est possible en Afrique subsaharienne, en dépit de l’accès difficile aux médicaments.We report a case of thrombolysis using tenecteplase, with a good outcome in a patient of 49 years old, with history of hypertension and smoking, who was admitted with left hemiplegia and hypoesthesia associated with dysarthria and disorientation. The initial NIHSS score was 18. CT scan performed at the 2:05 start was normal with an ASPECT score to 10. He received thrombolysis with tenecteplase 0.1 mg / kg at 3:10. The 24h outcome was marked by a regression of the neurological deficit with an NIHSS score at 1. The CT scan noted a mild hypodensity in the posterior territory of the right middle cerebral artery. Thrombolysis in acute stroke is possible in Sub-Saharan Africa, despite a limit access to drugs

Relationship between Younger Age, Autoimmunity, Cardiometabolic Risk, Oxidative Stress, HAART, and Ischemic Stroke in Africans with HIV/AIDS

Background and Purpose. It now appears clear that both HIV/AIDS and antiretroviral therapy (HAART) use are associated with higher risk of cardiovascular disease such as stroke. In this study, we evaluated the prevalence, the risk factors, and the cardiometabolic comorbidities of stroke in HIV/AIDS Central African patients. Methods. This hospital-based cross-sectional study collected clinical, laboratory, and imaging data of black Central African heterosexual, intravenous drug nonuser, and HIV/AIDS patients. Results. There were 54 men and 62 women, with a female to male ratio of 1.2 : 1. All were defined by hypercoagulability and oxidative stress. Hemorrhagic stroke was reported in 1 patient, ischemic stroke in 17 patients, and all stroke subtypes in 18 patients (15%). Younger age <45 years (P = .003), autoimmunity (P < .0001), and metabolic syndrome defined by IDF criteria (P < .0001) were associated with ischemic stroke. Conclusions. Clustering of several cardiometabolic factors, autoimmunity, oxidative stress, and lifestyle changes may explain accelerated atherosclerosis and high risk of stroke in these young black Africans with HIV/AIDS. Prevention and intervention programs are needed

Profil épidémio-clinique et évolutif des cardiomyopathies dilatées au Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Brazzaville, Congo

L'objectif de cette étude est de contribuer à l'amélioration de la prise en charge des patients porteurs de cardiomyopathies dilatées (CMD) à Brazzaville. Cette étude prospective et analytique, a été réalisée au CHU de Brazzaville entre le 1er&nbsp;Janvier 2014 et le 30 Juin 2015. Elle a inclus les patients hospitalisés dans le service de cardiologie pour une insuffisance cardiaque (IC) en rapport avec une CMD. L'étude a porté sur 100 patients. La fréquence hospitalière de la CMD était de 32,1%. Il s'agissait de 38 hommes (38%) et 62 femmes (62%), âgés en moyenne de 52,9 ± 17,1 ans. L'IC était globale dans 72 cas (72%). L'ECG s'inscrivait en rythme sinusal (95%), et objectivait une hypertrophie ventriculaire gauche (40%), un bloc de branche gauche (16%), et une fibrillation auriculaire (5%). La fraction d'éjection du ventricule gauche (VG) était en moyenne de 33,4 ± 6,8%, et le diamètre télédiastolique du VG de 65,5 ± 7,0 mm. Le traitement comportait un diurétique de l'anse (100%), un IEC/ARA2 (100%), un bêtabloquant (38%), un digitalique (30%), un anti-aldostérone (16%), et un anti-vitamine K (11%). Au terme d'un suivi de 12 mois, le taux de létalité globale était de 9%, le taux de réhospitalisation de 12%, et le taux de perdus de vue de 41%. Cette étude a montré que la CMD est une affection fréquente, et une des principales causes d'insuffisance cardiaque. La durée de suivi brève et le nombre important de perdus de vue ne permettent pas d'en évaluer la survie dans notre contexte

May Measurement Month 2018: a pragmatic global screening campaign to raise awareness of blood pressure by the International Society of Hypertension

Aims Raised blood pressure (BP) is the biggest contributor to mortality and disease burden worldwide and fewer than half of those with hypertension are aware of it. May Measurement Month (MMM) is a global campaign set up in 2017, to raise awareness of high BP and as a pragmatic solution to a lack of formal screening worldwide. The 2018 campaign was expanded, aiming to include more participants and countries. Methods and results Eighty-nine countries participated in MMM 2018. Volunteers (≥18 years) were recruited through opportunistic sampling at a variety of screening sites. Each participant had three BP measurements and completed a questionnaire on demographic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP ≥140 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥90 mmHg, or taking antihypertensive medication. In total, 74.9% of screenees provided three BP readings. Multiple imputation using chained equations was used to impute missing readings. 1 504 963 individuals (mean age 45.3 years; 52.4% female) were screened. After multiple imputation, 502 079 (33.4%) individuals had hypertension, of whom 59.5% were aware of their diagnosis and 55.3% were taking antihypertensive medication. Of those on medication, 60.0% were controlled and of all hypertensives, 33.2% were controlled. We detected 224 285 individuals with untreated hypertension and 111 214 individuals with inadequately treated (systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg) hypertension. Conclusion May Measurement Month expanded significantly compared with 2017, including more participants in more countries. The campaign identified over 335 000 adults with untreated or inadequately treated hypertension. In the absence of systematic screening programmes, MMM was effective at raising awareness at least among these individuals at risk

Blood pressure tracking in urban black South African children: birth to twenty cohort

Background Hypertension is an emerging public health problem in South Africa. Recent evidence from longitudinal studies has shown that hypertension in adulthood can be traced back to childhood. There is scarcity of longitudinal data on paediatric blood pressure (BP) particularly in African populations. The objective of this study is to assess the prevalence of hypertension and evaluate BP tracking between childhood and late adolescence among South African black Children. Methods This study utilized data from the Birth to Twenty cohort, which is comprised of children born in Soweto, Johannesburg in 1990 (N = 3273, 78.5 % black). Data on BP and anthropometry were collected at six follow-up periods between ages 5 and 18 years. Blood pressure status was classified using the Fourth report on National High Blood pressure program in children and adolescents. Pearson correlation coefficients and relative risk ratios (RR) were used to describe tracking of BP between childhood and late adolescence. Results The overall point prevalence ranged from 9.2 to 16.4 % for prehypertension and 8.4 to 24.4 % for hypertension. Tracking coefficients ranged from 0.20 to 0.57 for SBP and 0.17- 0.51 for DBP in both sexes over the 14 years of measurement. The proportion of children who maintained an elevated BP status between childhood, adolescence and age 18 years ranged from 36.1 % at age 5 years to 56.3 % at age 13 years. Risk of having elevated BP at 18 years ranged from; RR: 1.60 (95 % CI: 1.29–2.00) at 5 years to RR: 2.71 (95 % CI: 2.32–3.17) at 14 years of age. Conclusions This study reports high prevalence of elevated BP which tracks from early childhood into late adolescence. These findings emphasize the importance of early identification of children at risk of developing elevated BP and related risk factors plus timely intervention to prevent hypertension in adulthood

Aging, female sex, migration, elevated HDL-C, and inflammation are associated with prevalence of metabolic syndrome among African bank employees

Thierry Gombet,1 Benjamin Longo-Mbenza,2 Bertrand Ellenga-Mbolla,1 Meo Stephane Ikama,3 Etienne Mokondjimobe,4 Gisele Kimbally-Kaky,3 Jean-Louis Nkoua,31Emergency Department, University Hospital Center of Brazzaville, Brazzaville, Congo; 2Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, Eastern Cape, South Africa; 3Department of Cardiology and Internal Medicine, University Hospital Center of Brazzaville, Brazzaville, Congo; 4Laboratory of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Brazzaville, CongoBackground: The objective of this study was to compare four different criteria for diagnosing metabolic syndrome (MS) and to correlate sociodemographic data, liver enzymes, lipids, inflammation, and insulin resistance with MS definitions.Methods: This cross-sectional study included a random number of 126 African bank employees from Brazzaville, Congo.Results: The prevalence of MS varied according to the different definitions used: 4.8% under World Health Organization (WHO) criteria, 8.7% under the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NECP-ATPIII) criteria, 14.3% under the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) for Europe, and 15.9% by the IDF for Central Africa. According to the IDF, specific cutoff points for the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, &amp;ge;13 mm at first hour and &amp;ge;30 mm at second hour, defined MS for Central Africa. The best agreement was observed between the IDF for Europe and the IDF for Central Africa (Kappa = 0.938; P &amp;lt; 0.0001) criteria. The worst agreements were between the WHO and IDF for Central Africa (Kappa = 0.419; P &amp;lt; 0.0001) criteria and between the WHO and IDF for Europe (Kappa = 0.462; P &amp;lt; 0.0001) criteria. The NECP-ATPIII criteria did not agree with either the IDF for Europe or the IDF for Central Africa criteria. There was a significant relationship between female sex, aging, elevated liver enzymes, elevated phospholipids, high homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, and MS defined by the IDF for Central Africa.Conclusion: The IDF definition of the MS modified for Central Africa provides higher prevalence estimates of MS than the estimates based on the NECP-ATPIII and IDF for Europe criteria. Liver enzymes, phospholipids, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance should be included in clinical practice to stratify cardiovascular disease risk among Africans.Keywords: metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance, inflammation, liver enzymes, atherosclerosis, sub-Saharan Africa&amp;nbsp

Chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment: mechanisms, clinical features and research perspectives

: The term chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment (CRCI), or cognitive dysfunction, or chemo fog, or chemo brain, is referred to a decline in a variety of neuropsychological tasks after chemotherapy, or following other anticancer treatments such as radiation therapy or surgery, in patients with non-central nervous system cancers. Furthermore, several pieces of evidence suggest that clinical manifestations of cognitive impairment may occur in cancer patients, prior to chemotherapy or in those not treated with cancer therapies. In these circumstances, it should be more appropriate to use the term cancer-related cognitive dysfunction. Because there is no consensus about its definition and diagnostic criteria, no specific test for CRCI diagnose exists. Whatever the cause, this manifestation of central nervous system toxicity is of increasing concern as the survival rates for cancer have improved steadily and, in turn, cognitive dysfunction can negatively impact the patients and cancer survivors' quality of life. The aim of this work is to offer an overview of the topic and recommendations for future research

Helicobacter pylori infection is identified as a cardiovascular risk factor in Central Africans

Benjamin Longo-Mbenza,1 Jacqueline Nkondi Nsenga,2 Etienne Mokondjimobe,3 Thierry Gombet,3 Itoua Ngaporo Assori,3 Jean Rosaire Ibara,3 Bertrand Ellenga-Mbolla,3 Dieudonn&amp;eacute;&amp;nbsp;Ngoma Vangu,4 Simon Mbungu Fuele41Faculty of Health Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, South Africa; 2Division of Gastroenterology, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo; 3Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Marien Ngouabi, Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of the Congo; 4Biostatistics Unit, Lomo Medical Center, Limete, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the CongoBackground: Helicobacter pylori is now incriminated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.Objective: To examine the importance of H. pylori infection as a cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor.Methods: Two hundred five patients (128 with H. pylori infection [HP-seropositive] and 77 without) had a baseline assessment for other potential CVD risk factors and were followed prospectively for 10 years (1999&amp;ndash;2008). They were assessed on a monthly basis for the outcomes of carotid plaque, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, and stroke. In the HP-seropositive group, male sex and quartile 4 for IgG anti-H. pylori antibodies (anti-HP Ab) were correlated with traditional CVD risk factors, stroke, myocardial infarction, and angina pectoris.Results: At the baseline assessment, the levels of carotid intima-media thickness, blood fibrinogen, total cholesterol, fasting plasma glucose, and uric acid were higher in H. pylori-infected patients than in the uninfected group. Serum HDL-cholesterol was significantly lower in the HP-seropositive group. Men had higher levels of IgG anti-HP Ab, waist circumference, blood pressure, uric acid, and total cholesterol than women. Within the HP-seropositive group, individuals in quartile 4 for IgG anti-HP Ab had higher rates of elevated fibrinogen, diabetes mellitus, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, arterial hypertension, and high total cholesterol than those in quartile 1. After adjusting for traditional CVD risk factors, H. pylori infection was the only independent predictor of incident carotid plaque (multivariate odds ratio [OR] = 2.3, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2&amp;ndash;7.2; P &amp;lt; 0.0001) and incident acute stroke (multivariate OR = 3.6, 95% CI: 1.4&amp;ndash;8.2; P &amp;lt; 0.0001). Within the HP-seropositive group and after adjusting for traditional CVD risk factors, male sex was the only independent predictor of incident angina pectoris (multivariate OR = 3.5, 95% CI: 1.6&amp;ndash;16; P &amp;lt; 0.0001), incident acute stroke (multivariate OR = 3.2, 95% CI: 1.4&amp;ndash;28; P &amp;lt; 0.0001), and acute myocardial infarction (multivariate OR = 7.2, 95% CI: 3.1&amp;ndash;18; P &amp;lt; 0.0001).Conclusion: Our study provides evidence for an association among known CVD risk factors, carotid plaque, stroke, and H. pylori infection. Among infected individuals, there is a significant association among severity of HP-seropositivity, male sex, and CVD. The eradication of H. pylori infection may therefore reduce the emerging burden of CVD in Africa.Keywords: Helicobacter pylori, stroke, myocardial infarction, cardiovascular disease, carotid plaque, African

Pratique de la mesure ambulatoire de la pression artérielle à Brazzaville (Congo): données préliminaires

Introduction: évaluer l'apport de la MAPA dans la prise en charge de l'hypertension artérielle à Brazzaville.Méthodes: cette étude transversale descriptive a été menée à Brazzaville entre janvier 2011 et décembre 2013 (soit 36 mois). Elle a inclus une série consécutive de 1040 patients ayant bénéficié d'une Mesure Ambulatoire de la Pression Artérielle. Nous avons utilisé le TONOPORT V et le logiciel Cardiosoft 6.51 de GE Health Care, respectivement pour l'enregistrement et l'analyse des données. Les seuils fixés sur les moyennes de 24H étaient une PA &lt; 130/80 mmHg pour les patients contrôlés, et une PA &gt; 130/80 mmHg pour la confirmation de l'HTA.Résultats: il s'agissait de 573 hommes (55%) et de 467 femmes (45%), âgés en moyenne de 51,7 ± 10,6 ans (extrêmes: 22 et 89 ans). L'indication de la MAPA était à visée thérapeutique dans 627 cas (60,3%), à visée diagnostique dans 410 cas (39,4%), et dans trois cas une suspicion d'effet « blouse blanche ». Dans l'indication à visée diagnostique, l'HTA était confirmée dans 303 cas (74%). La moyenne nycthémérale était de 139 ± 12 mmHg pour la PAS et 89,7 ± 9,6 mmHg pour la PAD; 141,2 ± 13,9 mmHg de PAS et 92,4 ± 10,0 mmHg de PAD en période diurne ; 131,1 ± 13,5 mmHg de PAS et 80,7 ± 9,9 mmHg de PAD en période nocturne. Dans l'indication à visée thérapeutique, l'HTA était contrôlée chez 220 patients (35%). La moyenne nycthémérale était de 139 ± 14 mmHg pour la PAS et 88,1 ± 10 mmHg pour la PAD. Les moyennes diurnes et nocturnes étaient respectivement de 140,7 ± 14,0 mmHg et 133,1 ± 16,2 mmHg pour la PAS, 90,3 ± 10,5 et 81,1 ± 10,9 mmHg pour la PAD. Le protocole antihypertenseur utilisé était une monothérapie dans 126 cas (22%), une bithérapie dans 270 cas (47%), une trithérapie dans 149 cas (26%), une quadrithérapie et plus dans 29 cas (5%). Conclusion: cette étude préliminaire a montré l'importance de la MAPA comme outil de diagnostic et d'évaluation thérapeutique. Son utilisation rationnelle dans notre contexte permettrait d'améliorer la prise en charge des patients hypertendus