The first cardioverter defibrillator implanted in Central Africa.
Sudden cardiac deaths, which account for approximately 350 000 deaths each year, is a major health care problem. Antiarrhythmic drugs have not been reliable in preventing sudden cardiac death. Although β-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and revascularization play a role in prevention of sudden cardiac death, the development and subsequent refinement of the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator has made the most important contribution to its management. We report the first documented implantation of a cardioverter defibrillator in central, eastern and western Africa.
St Elizabeth Catholic General Hospital, Cardiac Centre, Kumbo, Cameroon.
Tantchou Tchoumi Jacques
TT
Cabral
St Elizabeth Catholic General Hospital, Cardiac Centre, Kumbo, Cameroon.
Appolonia
A
Budzee
Policlinico San Donato IRCCS, San Donato Milanese, Milan, Italy.
Gianfranco
G
Butera
D000350:Africa, Central; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017147:Defibrillators, Implantable; D006801:Humans
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents
Implantable cardioverter defibrillator; hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; sudden death