Electrocardiographic changes among Nigerian Norplant users.
OBJECTIVE
To determine any cardiovascular morbidity in the short term with Norplant use by electrocardiography.


METHODS
Prospective observational study of consecutive volunteers. SELLING: Jos Univesity Teaching Hospital, Nigeria.


METHODS
Twenty-one Nigerian women seeking long-term reversible contraception were recruited for this study during a Norplant training programme in our centre in August 1997. The clients had baseline (Pre-insertion) blood pressure checks and electrocardiographic (ECG) tracings. These were repeated at the 3,6 and 12 months follow-up visits and the results were analysed.


METHODS
Heart rate, mean QRS electrical axis, PR and QRS intervals, rhthm assessment, chamber enlargement/hypertrophy.


RESULTS
The mean age of subjects was 32.4 +/- 3.98 years (range 25-38 years). The mean weight at pre-insertion and at the 3, 6 and 12 months follow-up visits were 63.63 +/- 10.43, 60.59 +/- 10.07, 64.08 +/- 12.15 and 62.29 +/- 12.25 kilograms respectively. The differences were not significant. The systolic and diastolic blood pressures did not show any significant changes throughout the period of study. The heart rate and cardiac axis measurements did not show any significant changes during the study period. There was no chamber enlargement or hypertrophy. Rhythm remained generally normal. The PR and QRS intervals remained within normal limits throughout the study period. However, they seemed to be significantly prolonged--mean PR interval (seconds) pre-insertion 0.153 +/- 0.003, and at 12 months 0.173 +/- 0.006 (P = 0.019), mean QRS interval (seconds) pre-insertion 0.056 +/- 0.003 and at 12 months 0.74 +/- 0.002 (P = 0.005)


CONCLUSIONS
There is a tendency to significant prolongation of ECG intervals in Norplant users. This requires longer observation.
Sagay
Atiene S
AS
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Jos Nigeria.
Okeahialam
Basil N
BN
Imade
Godwin E
GE
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004343:Drug Implants / Q000009:adverse effects; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009549:Nigeria; D013997:Time Factors
D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D004343:Drug Implants; D016912:Levonorgestrel