Instructions for authors

SA Heart Newsletter - Instructions for authors

Instructions for authors

Instructions for authors

The prevalence of pulmonary hypertension after successful tuberculosis treatment in a community sample of adult patients

There are an estimated 155 million survivors of tuberculosis (TB). Clinical experience suggests that post-pulmonary tuberculosis lung disease (PTLD) is an important cause of group 3 pulmonary hypertension (PH). However, TB is not listed as a cause of PH in most guidelines. A cross-sectional, community-based study was conducted in non-health care seeking adults who had successfully completed TB treatment. Subjects underwent questionnaires, spirometry, a six-minute walk distance test (6MWD) and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Screen probable PH was defined on TTE as an estimated pulmonary artery peak systolic pressure (PASP) of ≥40mmHg. One hundred adults (71 males) were enrolled, with a mean age of 42 years (SD 13.8 years) and a median of one TB episode (IQR: 1 -2). Co-morbidities included hypertension (21%), diabetes (16%), HIV (10%) and asthma/COPD (5%). Only 25% had no residual symptoms after TB. Probable PH was found in 9%, while 7% had borderline raised PASP values (PASP 35-40mmHg). An association was found between PH and the number of previous TB episodes, with each additional episode of TB increasing the odds of PH-post-TB 2.13-fold (CI 1.17-3.88; P=0.013). All of those found to have PH were smokers or ex-smokers yielding an unadjusted odds ratio for PH-post-TB of 3.67 (95%CI 0.77-17.46). There was no statistical difference in spirometry or 6MWD, between those with and without PH. Neither symptoms nor co-morbidities demonstrated significant association with PH. PH after TB was a common finding in this community-based population. Further research is needed to confirm and determine the significance of these findings

Latest trends in cardiac treatments

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Cardiology 2005 - Pumped with optimism

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Silent ischaemia in diabetics - do we want to know?

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Instructions to authors

SA Heart publishes peer reviewed articles dealing with cardiovascular disease, including original research, topical reviews, state-of-the-art papers and viewpoints. Regular features include an ECG quiz, image in cardiology and local guidelines. Case reports are considered for publication only if the case or cases are truly unique, incorporates a relevant review of the literature and makes a contribution to improved future patient managemen

Recognition of SA Heart

SA Heart is listed by the Department of Education (DoE) as an ApprovedJournal since January 2009. This development is important, not only for thestature of the Journal, but also for practical reasons such as the subsidy fromthe DoE involved for authors affiliated to academic institutions