Role of the electrocardiogram in the management of heart failure at the Kamenge University Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Objective: To assess the role of the electrocardiogram in the management of cardiac insufficiency at the Kamenge university hospital center. Patients and methods: This was a descriptive retrospective study in patients hospitalized for heart failure from January 2013 to December 2017 in the internal medicine department of the Kamenge university hospital center. Was included any patient consenting and having done an electrocardiogram. Results: Among 286 patients suffering from heart failure, 105 had done an electrocardiogram, ie 36.71% of cases. The mean age was 58.18 ± 18.90 years. The sex ratio was 0.6 in favor of the female sex. The cardiovascular risk factors were alcohol, high blood pressure, physical inactivity and smoking respectively with 74.29%, 41.90%, 30.48% and 29.52%. The main decompensation factors were non-compliance with treatment in 35.24% of cases, infections in 31.43% of cases and deviation in diet in 29.52% of cases. The cardiovascular defects were mainly coronary syndrome (50.48%) and arterial hypertension (41.90%). The electrocardiogram was abnormal in all patients. The electrical problems were not specific. The main anomalies found were respectively, in decreasing order, hypertrophy of the left ventricle (87.62%), non-specific repolarization disorders in execution with sinus tachycardia (52.38%) and complete arrhythmia by atrial fibrillation (29, 52). Conclusion: An electrocardiogram is a very sensitive examination in the detection of insufficiency. It should be widely used although not specific in the prevention and monitoring of patients.