title: Management of complex CHD at the National Cardiothoracic Center of Excellence, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu: the role of foreign cardiac missions in 3.5 years.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  CHD is defined as structural defect(s) in the heart and proximal blood vessels present at birth. The National Cardiothoracic Center of Excellence, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu, through the aid of visiting Cardiac Missions has managed a significant number of patients within the last 3.5 years. Aim/Objective The objective of this study was to review surgical options and outcome of complex CHD among patients attending UNTH, Enugu, Enugu. Materials and Method During the period of 3.5 years (March, 2013 to June, 2016), a total of 20 cases of complex CHD were managed by cardiac missions that visited UNTH, Enugu. Their case notes and operating register were retrieved, reviewed, and analysed using SPSS version 19 (Chicago).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were eight females and 12 males, with a ratio of 2:5. The age range was from 5 months to 34 years with a mean of 1.7. Among all, five patients died giving a mortality rate of 25%. The operative procedures ranged from palliative shunts to complete repair. The outcome was relatively good.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Complex CHD are present in our environment. Their surgical management in our centre is being made possible by periodic visits of foreign cardiac missions.
authors.affiliation: 1University of Nigeria,Enugu Campus,Enugu,Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ikechukwu A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Nwafor
authors.affiliation: 1University of Nigeria,Enugu Campus,Enugu,Nigeria.
authors.forename: Josephat M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Chinawa
authors.affiliation: 1University of Nigeria,Enugu Campus,Enugu,Nigeria.
authors.forename: Daberechi K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Adiele
authors.affiliation: 1University of Nigeria,Enugu Campus,Enugu,Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ijeoma O
authors.initials: IO
authors.lastname: Arodiwe
authors.affiliation: 1University of Nigeria,Enugu Campus,Enugu,Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ndubueze
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ezemba
authors.affiliation: 1University of Nigeria,Enugu Campus,Enugu,Nigeria.
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Eze
authors.affiliation: 2Paediatric Cardiac Center,Great Omond Street Hospital,London,United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Ikenna
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Omeje
authors.affiliation: 3Federal University Teaching Hospital Abakaliki,Abakaliki,Nigeria.
authors.forename: Onyiye A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Arua
authors.affiliation: 4William Novick Global Cardiac Alliance,United States of America.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Novick
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007194:India; D007223:Infant; D007391:International Cooperation; D008297:Male; D008493:Medical Missions / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate / Q000639:trends; D006113:United Kingdom; D014481:United States; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Complex; National Cardiothoracic Center; foreign cardiac mission