Diagnosis, management and outcome of heart disease in Sudanese patients.

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 five 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.