Outcomes for patients with rheumatic heart disease after cardiac surgery followed at rural district hospitals in Rwanda.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In sub-Saharan Africa, continued clinical follow-up, after cardiac surgery, is only available at urban referral centres. We implemented a decentralised, integrated care model to provide longitudinal care for patients with advanced rheumatic heart disease (RHD) at district hospitals in rural Rwanda before and after heart surgery.

Methods

We collected data from charts at non-communicable disease (NCD) clinics at three rural district hospitals in Rwanda to describe the outcomes of 54 patients with RHD who received cardiac valve surgery during 2007-2015.

Results

The majority of patients were adults (46/54; 85%), and 74% were females. The median age at the time of surgery was 22 years in adults and 11 years in children. Advanced symptoms-New York Heart Associati

SUBMITTER: Rusingiza EK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6173815 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature