Myocardial disease in Nigerians.
The problem of heart disease of unknown aetiology as it is found in the Nigerian environment is presented. The fact that it is nearly impossible on many occasions to make a conclusive diagnosis on clinical grounds alone of either endomyocardial fibrosis and heart muscle disease is discussed and the need for haemodynamic and angiographic studies to make the differentiation is stressed. The clinical, radiological, electrocardiographic, and haemodynamic features of each of the two varieties of "cardiomyopathy" is presented and the distinguishing features are emphasised. The occasional difficulty in differentiating heart muscle disease from hypertensive heart disease is discussed and the fact that the two differ distinctly on haemodynamic pressure studies is established. Previous published hypotheses regarding the aetiology of these cardiac conditions are discussed, and suggestions are made as to the lines of future research including virological studies and the possible myocardiopathic effect of some of the local traditional herbs.
Okuwobi
B O
BO
Cardiovascular Unit, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine of the University of Lagos, P.M.B. 12003, Lagos.
D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002312:Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic / Q000175:diagnosis; D004719:Endomyocardial Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D013318:Stroke Volume; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left