DIAGNOSIS, MANAGEMENT AND OUTCOME OF HEART DISEASE IN SUDANESE PATIENTS

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Objectives: To describe the diagnosis, management and outcome of patients with congenital heart
disease seen at Sudan Heart Centre.
Design: A prospective follow up of all patients diagnosed as congenital heart disease.
Setting: Sudan Heart Centre.
Subjects: All children and adults with congenital heart disease seen at Sudan Heart Centre by one
paediatric cardiologist from July 2004 to June 2005.
Results: Five hundred and twenty two patients were evaluated, 435 had abnormal hearts. The
median age was 48 months (one day to sixty fi ve years). Congenital heart disease constituted 87%
and acquired heart disease and rhythm disorders 13%. The frequency of the different cardiac heart
disease was described and in general did not differ from that reported in the literature except
for Ebstein anomaly which was noted to be four times more frequent than reported. Cardiac
catheterisation was done for 81 patients, for diagnosis in 61 (75%) and for intervention in 20 (25%)
patients. Balloon dilatation, atrial septostomy septal defect and patent ductus arteriosus closure
with the help of a visiting team, the success rate for interventions was 95%. Surgery was done for
125 patients. Seventy three operations were done by the local team and 52 by the visiting team.
The 30 day operative mortality was 8.3%.
Conclusion: Paediatric cardiac service in Sudan in echocardiography and cardiac catheterisation is
growing. Cardiac surgical results are comparable to the literature.