Journal of Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Research

Arterial Hypertension in Ivorian University Community: Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors

2021-04-14T23:09:49+00:00

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Hypertension remains the main modifiable cardiovascular risk factor. It is not uncommon to find it in young black subjects.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of hypertension in the student population of Félix Houphouet-Boigny University (FHBU) of Abidjan and to identify other associated risk factors.

Methodology: We conducted a community screening campaign which concerned students aged 18 to 40, from May 14 to November 14, 2018. An individual standardized questionnaire according to the model of the International Society of Hypertension (ISH) was used.

Results: The prevalence of hypertension was 4.1% among the 3996 students included. The mean age was 24.2 ± 4.1 years with a male predominance at 66.6%. Factors significantly associated with a higher prevalence of hypertension were age (p = 0.000), male gender (p = 0.000) and obesity (p = 0.000). Other associated risk factors that impacted the prevalence of hypertension were diabetes and regular alcohol consumption. Diabetes was found in 0.9% of the students of whom 13.5% were hypertensive. Regular alcohol consumption was found in 7% of the students of whom 9% were hypertensive.

Conclusion: HTN exists in Ivorian universities. Controlling the associated risk factors that we have identified could help reduce its prevalence.

Keywords: Hypertension - Prevalence - Young people - Black race

How to HaltCancer©

2022-03-18T09:54:42+00:00

The rules for the procedure to stop cancer are the same as those for repairing a puncture of a bicycle tyre. To make it easy for everyone to understand, this article will take you step by step through repairing a puncture and reversing cancer. The procedures are entirely different but the rules are the same

Successful surgical repair of berry syndrome with severe biventricular dysfunction

2022-02-27T17:13:42+00:00

Background - Absence of the aortopulmonary septum with the presence of two separate semilunar valves, interrupted aortic arch, aortic origin of the right pulmonary artery, intact ventricular septum, and patent ductus arteriosus is a rarely reported association known as Berry syndrome. This abnormal right pulmonary arterial origin may lead to "steal" from the aortic flow during embryogenesis and cause hypoplasia of the aortic arch. Most patients present in infancy or earlier with symptoms of cardiac failure. Scattered reports in the literature confirm the possibility of surgical correction of this complex anomaly.

Case Report – We report a case of 7 week old cyanotic child who presented in emergency with features of congestive cardiac failure. Two dimensional echocardiography and CT scan confirmed the diagnosis of interrupted aortic arch with large aorto-pulmonary window. Single stage repair of the defect was done with the use of PTFE patch and autologous pericardium.

Conclusion – Berry Syndrome is a rare congenital cardiac anomaly with patients presenting early in infancy with congestive cardiac failure. Early single stage correction of the defect is indicated. Different surgical options have been tried but we used an intra aortic PTFE patch to baffle the RPA towards MPA without detaching the RPA and an autologous pericardium to augment the aorta and it translated into a shorter clamp time.

Fibrinogen As a Cardiovascular Risk Marker

2021-06-28T17:48:27+00:00

International comparations show that the level of fibrinogen increases with the national risk of ischemic heart disease except in rural Africa and Eskimos who have high levels of fibrinogen despite the low risk of ischemic heart disease. Fibrinogen is a probable cofactor of multi factorial disease, atherosclerosis in cardiovascular disease. Epidemiological studies have shown that fibrinogen levels are a strong and consistent primary and secondary risk factor for coronary artery disease, cerebral and peripheral arterial disease, as well as is associated with prevalence of arterial disease in these three sites. Epidemiological studies also suggest that fibrinogen may be an important link between genetics (difference in nationality, family history, fibrinogen genotype) and environmental influences (fetal development, smoking, alcoholism, obesity, diabetes, infections, menopause, estrogen use) and the development of arterial disease. Fibrinogen level is the major determinant of cardiovascular risk in people with hypercholesterolemia, hypertension or diabetes; should then be included in the cardiovascular risk profile and clinical management. Persistent fibrinogen greater than 3.0 g/L is associated with significant increase in cardiovascular risk and indicates the target population for intervention. Epidemiological and path physiological studies show that there are at least four possible mechanisms by which fibrinogen can promote arterial disease: atherogenesis, platelet aggregation and thrombus formation, fibrin thrombus formation, increased plasma and blood viscosity. Clinical studies have shown that reducing plasma fibrinogen increases blood flow, reduces platelet aggregability, reduces plasma and blood viscosity, and the risk of ischemic symptoms and events. The reduction of fibrinogen needs to be considered in people with ischemic symptoms and those at high risk of arterial disease, also by lifestyle (smoking) or drug therapy (fibrates). Further studies of fibrinogen reduction are desirable for prevention and symptomatic treatment of arterial disease.