Background and aim: The left atrium contributes significantly to the left ventricular filling as it functions as a reservoir, conduit, and pump. These functions are referred to as the phasic function of the left atrium and they are assessed using left atrial volumes. The left atrial function index on the other hand is a rhythmic independent composite index which is a better marker of left atrial function. The study therefore aimed at comparing left atrial function (using the left atrial function index) among hypertensive heart failure patients, patients with hypertension but not in heart failure, and normotensive patients.
Purpose: Echocardiography has become a useful method for assessing structural diseases of the heart. MAPSE and TDI S’ have also been shown to be reproducible assessments of longitudinal heart changes as LVEF is ineffective in cases of sub-optimal echocardiographic imagery caused by artefacts or air trapping. Methodology: One hundred patients referred for echocardiography at the cardiac laboratory of DELSUTH, Oghara, Nigeria was recruited for the study. All patients had trans-thoracic echocardiography done with M-Mode, 2D and Spectral Doppler and Tissue Doppler echocardiographic images acquired. Data obtained was analyzed using IBM-SPSS version 22. A p-value of ≤0.05 was considered significant for all comparisons. Findings: Hypertension was the commonest indication for an echocardiogram. The prevalence of abnormal left ventricular function was 13%, 24% and 28% as determined using LVEF, TDI S’ and MAPSE. MAPSE had a higher specificity than TDI S’ with statistically significant correlations found between TDI S’ (p<0.001); MAPSE (p=0.032) and LVEF. Multiple linear and binomial logistic regression analysis showed significant relationships (beta=0.423; p <0.001) and odd ratios [OR(CI) = 10.80(2.56- 49.07)] respectively between TDI S’ and LVEF. Unique Contribution to Theory, Policy and Practice: MAPSE’s specificity allows for diagnosis of longitudinal heart functional changes even in cases where the LVEF may be within normal limits. A combination of both MAPSE and TDI S’ offer a greater prognostic significance. The correlation between MAPSE and TDI S’ were good. Thus, MAPSE and TDI S’ can serve as surrogates for LVEF in assessing left ventricular systolic function and prognosticating cardiac disease
Introduction: Left atrial (LA) enlargement poses a clinically significant risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes for patients. To maximize the utility of LA size in diagnosis, its accurate measurement using electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiogram (ECHO) to assess LA linear diameter and LA volumes is expedient. The LA volumes correlate better than LA linear diameter with diastolic function variables. It is therefore expedient to use LA volumes routinely in assessing LA size as they may detect early and subtle changes in LA size and function.Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 adult hypertensive patients attending the outpatient cardiology clinic at Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara, Nigeria, irrespective of blood pressure control and duration of hypertension whether on antihypertensive medications or not. The SPSS version 22 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) was used for data management and analysis.Result: There was a significant association between electrocardiographic left atrial (ECG-LA) enlargement and echocardiographic left atrial (ECHO-LA) size (LA linear diameter and LA maximum volume) in the study. Logistic regression analysis showed a significant odds ratio for all associations. With LA linear diameter as standard for assessing LA enlargement, the ECG had a sensitivity of 19%, specificity of 92.4%, a positive predictive value of 51%, and a negative predictive value of 73% in detecting LA enlargement. Using ECHO-LA maximum volume as a standard for assessing LA enlargement, the ECG had a sensitivity of 57.3%, a specificity of 67.7%, a positive predictive value of 42.9%, and a negative predictive value of 79% in detecting LA enlargement. The LA maximum volume showed relatively higher sensitivity and negative predictive values while LA linear diameter showed relatively higher specificity and positive predictive values.Conclusion: A good association exists between ECG-LA enlargement and ECHO-LA enlargement. However, in ruling out LA enlargement on ECG, it is better to use LA maximum volume as a standard rather than the LA linear diameter.
BackgroundHeart failure contributes to the global burden of cardiovascular diseases, with hypertensive heart failure affecting individuals in their productive age group and leading to high economic losses and disabilityadjusted life years. The left atrium, on the other hand, contributes significantly to left ventricular filling in heart failure patients, and the left atrial function index is an excellent tool for assessing left atrial function among heart failure patients. The study aimed to evaluate some parameters of systolic and diastolic function as correlates and potential predictors of the left atrial function index among hypertensive heart failure cohorts.
Background: Media channels increased COVID-19 pandemic uncertainty and disputes, hindering dissemination and acceptance of evidence-based health information. Socioeconomic, cultural, and developmental factors affect a community’s access to credible health information. This community-based study aims to assess semi-urban residents’ understanding of COVID-19.Methods. This was a cross-sectional study of 384 multistage-sampled residents of the study site. Sociodemographic, psychographic, and COVID-19 and treatment knowledge were obtained using a semistructured questionnaire. Six questions were used to measure knowledge, which was deemed adequate (three or more correct answers) or inadequate (fewer than three correct responses). Results: 54 out of 364 responders (14.8%) knew COVID-19. 68.9% of respondents stated citrus fruits or spices, 46.1% mentioned infection safety, and 13.3% mentioned chloroquine for prevention. Regarding treatment, 55.5% of responders reported chloroquine and 20.9% hydroxychloroquine. 17% chose ”none of the above.” Class I workers were four times more likely to have adequate knowledge than class V workers (p=0.019), while class III workers were 79% less likely (p=0.046). Males had 68%less knowledge than females (p=0.008). Conclusions: In this study, adequate knowledge of COVID-19 was low and associated with higher socioeconomic class.
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