Pregnancy follow-up in a patient with mechanical valve: possible in sub-Saharan Africa?

Abstract: In Africa in general and in Cameroon in particular, post rheumatic cardiopathies are a health care problem and one of the causes of infertility in the women population [1]. It is also a major cause of death of many children and adults. Management of a pregnant patient with mechanical heart valve is a complex issue for all health care providers involved in the care of such patients [2]. Clinicians caring for pregnant women with prosthetic valves are faced with a dilemma when trying to provide optimal treatment. Inadequate anticoagulant therapy can result in thrombosis of the mechanical prosthetic valve while, on the other hand, anticoagulant therapy is associated with foetal and maternal bleeding and teratogenic effects. The present report describes a case of pregnancy on a patient with a mechanical valve at the mitral position

The first cardioverter defibrillator implanted in Central Africa

Sudden cardiac deaths, which account for approximately 350 000 deaths each year, is a major health care problem. Antiarrhythmic drugs have not been reliable in preventing sudden cardiac death. Although β-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and revascularization play a role in prevention of sudden cardiac death, the development and subsequent refinement of the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator has made the most important contribution to its management. We report the first documented implantation of a cardioverter defibrillator in central, eastern and western Africa.Pan African Medical Journal 2016; 2

Unusual right ventricle outflow tract obstruction in Dacron valved conduits

Abstract Various biological valved conduits have been used to treat the obstructions of the right ventricle. These conduits have different rates and etiologies for conduit stenosis during early- and long-term follow-up. We report on three cases of unusual intra-luminal peeling of a Dacron conduit leading to various types of conduit obstruction

Extrathoracic heart in northern Cameroon: a case report

Tantchou et al report a case of ectopia cordis with successful surgical correction on a 7 months old child from northern Cameroon. Sternal clefts, ectopia cordis, and Cantrell's pentalogy continue to be very rare congenital anomalies in pediatric surgery. The prenatal diagnosis is easily made with ultrasound by visualizing the heart outside the thoracic cavity. Ectopia cordis is frequently associated with other congenital defects involving multiple organ systems. We report a case of ectopia cordis with successful surgical correction on a 7 months old child from northern Cameroon

Transcatheter Closure of Perimembranous Ventricular Septal Defects

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Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defect in young children Results and follow-up

AbstractObjectivesThis study sought to analyze the safety, efficacy, and follow-up results of percutaneous closure of secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) in young children.BackgroundResults of ASD transcatheter closure in adults are widely reported but there are no large published series concerning young children.MethodsBetween December 1996 and February 2002, 48 of 553 patients percutaneously treated at our institution were children age ≤5 years. Indications for closure were: elective closure in 32 patients; frequent respiratory infections in 8; failure to thrive in 2; liver transplantation in 5; and a fenestrated Fontan in 1. The procedure was carried out under general anesthesia with fluoroscopy and transesophageal control. Two different devices were used: 1) the CardioSEAL/StarFLEX (CS/SF) and 2) the Amplatzer septal occluder (ASO). Basal physical examinations and echocardiograms were performed prior to the procedure and at follow-ups (1, 6, and 12 months, and yearly thereafter).ResultsThe mean age at closure was 3.6 ± 1.3 years. A CS/SF was used in 10 subjects; an ASO was used in 38 patients. No deaths or immediate major complications occurred. The total occlusion rate was 87% at procedure, rising to 94% at discharge. The mean follow-up was 18 ± 14 months. No midterm major or minor complications occurred. The occlusion rate rose to 100% at 12 months of follow-up. Symptomatic patients improved significantly.ConclusionsIn the current era and in experienced hands, ASD closure can be performed safely and successfully, even in very young children

Early and late complications associated with transcatheter occlusion of secundum atrial septal defect

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