Characteristics and management of patients with acute coronary syndrome at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababab, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND

Evidence based clinical guidelines have provided clinicians with an increasing tool for management of hospitalized patients. However, large differences in the management of patients with acute coronary syndrome observed across the globe.

OBJECTIVE

To determine spectrum of severity, practice patterns and half-year outcomes of patients hospitalized with acute coronary syndrome in Ethiopia.

METHODS

All charts from patients admitted to the intensive care unit of Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital over a six months period in 2011/12 were examined for discharge diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome. Complete data for these patients was collected for analysis. A total of 21 cases with complete data were included for analysis.

RESULTS

Among a total of 21 patients, 16 (65.2%) were males. The mean age was 57.1 +/- 13.7 ranging from 33 to 80 years. All those patients had cardiac biomarkers and electrocardiography (ECG), 14 (66.7%) had echocardiography and only 2 (9.6%) patients had coronary angiography. Based on diagnostic result 13 (62%) patients had ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), 6 (28.6%) had non-ST elevation myocardial elevation (NSTEM) 1 and 2 (9.5%) had unstable angina. All were given anti-platelets and statin but none of them got thrombolytics. Three (14.4%) patients died after two weeks of hospitalization.

CONCLUSION

Unavailability of reperfusion therapy with high rate of mortality and less diagnosis of non ST-elevation acute coronary syndrome were seen. Implementation of evidence-based medications and interventions, including reperfusion therapy is needed.