Challenges in the management of cardiovascular emergencies in Sub-Saharan Africa: a case report of acute heart failure complicating infective endocarditis in a semi-urban setting in Cameroon

Abstract

BackgroundInfective endocarditis is a deadly disease if not promptly treated with antibiotics either in association with cardiac surgery or not. Cardiac complications are the most common complications seen in infective endocarditis. Heart failure remains the most common cause of mortality and the most common indication for cardiac surgery in patients with infective endocarditis which is increasingly available in resource limited settings.Case presentationWe report a case of native valve infective endocarditis of the aortic valve in a 27-year old female in a semi-urban setting in Cameroon complicated by severe aortic valve regurgitation and heart failure. She presented with a 2 month history of fever and a 2 weeks history of rapidly worsening shortness of breath. Emergency cardiac surgery was indicated which unfortunately could not be performed leading to the death of the patient.ConclusionsIn spite of improvement in availability of diagnostic and therapeutic modalities for cardiovascular emergencies, affordability is still a challenge. Universal health coverage is advocated else the ravages of premature mortality from cardiovascular diseases may continue to remain unchecked in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Tricuspid valve infective endocarditis in a patient with psoas abscess complicated by septic pulmonary emboli and severe tricuspid regurgitation in Cameroon, challenges in the diagnosis and management in a resource limited setting: a case report

“…Staphylococcus aureus is a very aggressive pathogen and bacteremia from this germ can infect healthy heart valves. Also, our patient had severe tricuspid regurgitation which required surgical treatment or transcatheter tricuspid valve intervention (TTVI) but this was not possible in our setting due to limitations [ 11 ]. Antibiotic therapy and surgical options remains a mainstay of successful treatment of tricuspid valve infective endocarditis.…”

Terapi Pembedahan Pada Endokarditis Katup Aorta

“…[12] Gagal jantung kongestif adalah komplikasi paling penting dari endokarditis, yang memiliki dampak terbesar pada prognosis. [13] Abses periannular adalah komplikasi yang relatif umum dari endokarditis, terkait dengan morbiditas dan mortalitas yang lebih tinggi. [14] Embolisasi sistemik terjadi pada 22% hingga 50% kasus; emboli mungkin melibatkan arteri utama, sebagian besar mempengaruhi sistem saraf pusat, tetapi juga organ-organ lain.…”