Cardiovascular Journal of Africa最新文献

{"title":"From the Editor's Desk.","authors":"P J Commerford","doi":"","DOIUrl":"","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":9434,"journal":{"name":"Cardiovascular Journal of Africa","volume":"34 4","pages":"197"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2023-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10870310/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"71420857","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Point-of-care testing compared to gold-standard laboratory methods in the measurement of serum lipids.","authors":"Brett S Mansfield,&nbsp;Belinda Stevens,&nbsp;Frederick J Raal,&nbsp;Farzahna Mohamed","doi":"10.5830/CVJA-2023-039","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5830/CVJA-2023-039","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of mortality worldwide, with dyslipidaemia being one of the major risk factors. Point-of-care testing (POCT) allows for the rapid measurement of serum lipids. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of serum lipid measurement by the Fujifilm^™ NX700 POCT compared to a gold-standard clinical laboratory method (Medpace, Leuven, Belgium).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This was a prospective, observational study conducted at the Lipid Clinic at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital from July to September 2022. Participants were known to have a lipid disorder, most commonly, familial hypercholesterolaemia. Samples sent for lipid measurement by standard laboratory methods were simultaneously measured by the Fujifilm^™ NX700 POCT.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Lipograms evaluating total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and calculated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were obtained from 115 participants. No statistically significant difference was noted between the parameters tested on the different platforms. The Fujifilm^™ NX700 POCT correctly identified > 91% of serum lipid results as normal or abnormal, as defined by NCEP-ATP III criteria, and exhibited good sensitivity and specificity for each parameter. Lin's concordance correlation coefficient demonstrated a strong correlation for all parameters; TC (ρ_c = 0.9861), HDL-C (ρ_c = 0.95919), LDL-C (ρ_c = 0.98134) and TG (ρ_c = 0.92775). Bland-Altman plots identified low bias and a good level of agreement between the two test methods.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The Fujifilm^™ NX700 POCT compared favourably with gold-standard laboratory methods in the determination of serum lipid measurements, allowing for rapid screening at the primary healthcare level.</p>","PeriodicalId":9434,"journal":{"name":"Cardiovascular Journal of Africa","volume":"34 ","pages":"1-6"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2023-08-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10157233","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparison of serum lipoprotein(a) levels in young and middle-aged patients presenting for the first time with ST-elevation myocardial infarction: a single-centre study.","authors":"Songül Usalp,&nbsp;Emine Altuntaş,&nbsp;Bayram Bağırtan,&nbsp;Kanber Ö Karabay","doi":"10.5830/CVJA-2023-038","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5830/CVJA-2023-038","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a) ] is associated with coronary artery disease due to its atherogenic and thrombogenic nature. In this study, we aimed to compare the level of Lp(a) in young and middle-aged patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This retrospective study included 287 patients aged 20-65 years who presented to the emergency department for the first time due to STEMI. The patients were divided into two groups: 20-45 years (young group, <i>n</i> = 111) and 46-65 years (middle-aged group, <i>n</i> = 176). The groups were compared in terms of demographic characteristics, co-morbidities and laboratory findings.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In the young group, smoking (99, 89.2% vs 130, 73.9%; <i>p</i> = 0.001), family history of coronary artery disease (75, 67.6% vs 80, 45.5; <i>p</i> < 0.001), serum Lp(a) level [38.1 ± 27.9 (93 ± 68) vs 23.5 ± 23.2 mg/dl (57 ± 56 nmol/l); <i>p</i> < 0.001], triglyceride level [219.1 ± 231.9 (2.48 ± 2.62) vs 170.2 ± 105.6 mg/dl (1.92 ± 1.19 mmol/l); <i>p</i> = 0.018), ejection fraction (52.4 ± 6.1 vs 47.2 ± 7.7%; <i>p</i> = 0.004) and single-vessel disease (83, 74.8% vs 110, 62.5%; <i>p</i> = 0.031) were higher than in the middle-aged group. In multivariable logistic regression analyses, family history (OR: 2.073, 95% CI: 1.210-3.549; <i>p</i> = 0.008), low high-density lipoprotin cholesterol level (OR: 1.032, 95% CI: 1.003-1.062; <i>p</i> = 0.029) and Lp(a) elevation (OR: 1.981, 95% CI: 1.871-3.991; <i>p</i> < 0.001) were possible independent risk factors for STEMI in young patients.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Lp(a) level was found to be a higher and a possible independent risk factor in young patients who presented with STEMI for the first time, compared to the middle-aged patient group. Lp(a) is a highly atherogenic molecule and it has been associated with stroke, heart failure, aortic stenosis, as well as coronary artery disease. Measurement of Lp(a) levels may be recommended in young patients with high cardiovascular risk.</p>","PeriodicalId":9434,"journal":{"name":"Cardiovascular Journal of Africa","volume":"34 ","pages":"1-5"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2023-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10137244","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Outcomes of single-ventricle physiology in central South Africa.","authors":"M J van Jaarsveld,&nbsp;L Botes,&nbsp;F E Smit,&nbsp;S C Brown","doi":"10.5830/CVJA-2023-043","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5830/CVJA-2023-043","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Single-ventricle physiology is a critical cardiac condition requiring early diagnosis and intervention. The objectives of this study were to report on the management and outcomes of patients diagnosed with single-ventricle physiology in central South Africa.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study was a retrospective, observational analysis of patients presenting with single-ventricle physiology at the Universitas Academic Hospital in central South Africa between November 1997 and June 2021.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Patients were referred from the Free State (54%) and Northern Cape (29%) provinces and Lesotho. One hundred and fifty-four patients presented with single-ventricle physiology: 114 received interventions and 40 were not eligible for intervention. Patients presented for the first time at a median age of 34.5 days, with patients from nearby districts presenting within a few days of birth. However, patients from outlying areas presented much later. Eighty-seven patients received systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunting or pulmonary artery banding. Sixty-three patients proceeded to bidirectional Glenn procedures, and 30 patients (26%) had full palliation to Fontan. Twenty-one patients died after stage 1, six after the Glenn procedure and two after the Fontan procedure. Overall, 34 (29.8%) patients were lost to follow up.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Patients in our study presented late and follow up of these patients was a challenge. The highest mortality rate occurs during the first stage of palliation. Outcomes from this study are comparable to other sub-Saharan studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":9434,"journal":{"name":"Cardiovascular Journal of Africa","volume":"34 ","pages":"1-5"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2023-08-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10112030","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The value of measured partial oxygen pressure during pulmonary vein closure and the relationship with the diameter of the closed vein in patients with cryoablation.","authors":"Enes Çon,&nbsp;Namık Kemal Eryol,&nbsp;Mehmet Tuğrul Inanç,&nbsp;Deniz Elçik","doi":"10.5830/CVJA-2023-040","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5830/CVJA-2023-040","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aim: </strong>The aim of this study was to investigate the value of partial oxygen pressure (PO₂) changes measured in the left atrium (LA) during transient pulmonary vein (PV) closure in patients undergoing cryoablation and its relationship with the diameter of the closed PV.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study was carried out on a total of 25 cases. The grouping of PVs was made separately as the left superior, left inferior, left common, right superior, right inferior, right common and total PVs. PV measurement was made from angiographic images obtained after the cryoablation balloon was inflated and opaque. From the LA, the difference between the PO₂ values in the blood gases obtained before and during the temporary closure of each PV was evaluated as the PO₂ change. The difference of the lowest temperature reached during the closing of each PV from -36°C was termed the heat difference. The relationship of PO₂ change with PV diameter and the heat difference were investigated.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There was no significant relationship between any of the PV diameters and PO₂ changes (<i>p</i> > 0.05). There was a significant relationship between heat differences and PO₂ changes in the left superior (<i>p</i> = 0.011), right superior (<i>p</i> = 0.049), right 'common' (<i>p</i> = 0.037) and total PVs (<i>p</i> = 0.001), but there was no significant relationship between heat differences and PO₂ changes in the left inferior, left 'common' and right inferior PVs (<i>p</i> > 0.05).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In the light of these data, PO₂ change could demonstrate the success of cryoablation, and was related with the cooling degree, but not with the PV diameter.</p>","PeriodicalId":9434,"journal":{"name":"Cardiovascular Journal of Africa","volume":"34 ","pages":"1-5"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2023-08-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10078176","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Paying more attention to arterial hypertension, dyslipidaemia, women and the rural environment in our ongoing fight against cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors.","authors":"Pêngd-Wendé Habib Boussé Traore,&nbsp;Jean Augustin Diégane Tine,&nbsp;Oumar Bassoum,&nbsp;Abdoul Kane,&nbsp;Adama Faye","doi":"10.5830/CVJA-2023-033","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5830/CVJA-2023-033","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The diagnostic and therapeutic efforts instituted by the state of Senegal since the results of the STEPwise survey in 2015 could and should be reinforced with an effective and targeted preventative approach against cardiovascular accidents. This study aimed to (1) identify the pathological population that contains the most incidents of stroke in Senegal, (2) identify the prevalence, and geographical and gender distribution of biological co-morbidities with hypertension, stroke and advice for a change in behaviour, and (3) research the factors associated with the occurrence of cardiovascular accidents specific to the Senegalese context.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This was a secondary analysis of the STEPwise WHO Senegal 2015 survey: a descriptive quantitative epidemiological study with an analytical aim.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Biological co-morbidities with arterial hypertension as well as cardiovascular accidents affected more women than men. Biological co-morbidities with arterial hypertension predominated in urban areas, while cardiovascular accidents were more common in rural areas. The population with arterial hypertension and total hypercholesterolaemia simultaneously was at the top of a list of 25 pathological populations in terms of the proportion of cardiovascular accidents within them. In addition, total hypercholesterolaemia was found in the first three populations with the most cardiovascular accidents. Regarding advice for behavioural change, advice for smoking cessation was the most widespread. All advice was given mostly to the gender most affected by the health problem, but some advice was mostly addressed to the environment least affected by the problem. Therefore, despite being the most affected, the rural environment received the least advice for a change in behaviour with regard to the practice of any of the forms of the physical activities described, the consumption of oil of palm, the consumption of cubed sugar or sugary drinks, smoked and non-smoked tobacco and attempted smoking cessation. In multivariate analysis, it was found that arterial hypertension produced a 2.74 times greater risk of having a cardiovascular accident (adjusted odds ratio = 2.74; 95% confidence interval = 1.88-3.99; <i>p</i> < 0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>In Senegal, we need to pay more attention to arterial hypertension, dyslipidaemia, women and the rural environment in our ongoing fight against cardiovascular diseases and their risk factors.</p>","PeriodicalId":9434,"journal":{"name":"Cardiovascular Journal of Africa","volume":"34 ","pages":"1-14"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2023-08-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10012724","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The relationship between serum osteoprotegerin levels and right atrial and ventricular speckle-tracking measurements in essential hypertension patients with normal left ventricular systolic function.","authors":"Ender Emre,&nbsp;Ezgi Kalaycıoğlu,&nbsp;Ahmet Özderya,&nbsp;Murat Gökhan Yerlikaya,&nbsp;Turhan Turan,&nbsp;Kaan Hancı,&nbsp;Tayyar Gökdeniz,&nbsp;Mustafa Çetin","doi":"10.5830/CVJA-2023-036","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5830/CVJA-2023-036","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>We planned to reveal the relationship between OPG (osteoprotegerin) level and right heart function in hypertensive patients with normal ejection fraction, using strain analysis, which is a sensitive method in demonstrating subclinical dysfunction.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Between February and June 2018, 625 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of hypertension who applied to the cardiology out-patient clinic of our hospital were evaluated for our study and 175 eligible patients were included. The patients were divided into two groups according to their OPG level. Strain analysis was performed in the echocardiographic evaluation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean OPG value was 6.33 ± 1.87 pg/l. There were 93 patients (age 51.1 ± 8.5 years) in the low OPG group and 82 patients (age 54.6 ± 10.4 years) in the high OPG group. A significant difference was found between the two groups with regard to age (<i>p</i> = 0.016), statin use (<i>p</i> = 0.026), C-reactive protein level (<i>p</i> = 0.048), office systolic blood pressure (SBP) (<i>p</i> = 0.001) and office diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (<i>p</i> = 0.001). A significant difference was found between values of strain during reservoir phase (RASr) (<i>p</i> = 0.01), strain during conduit phase (RAScd) (<i>p</i> < 0.001) and peak strain rate during reservoir phase (pRASRcd) (<i>p</i> = 0.044). In multivariate regression analysis, age (OR: 1.162, 95% CI: 1.064-1.269, <i>p</i> = 0.001), office DBP (OR: 1.089, 95% CI: 1.020-1.161, <i>p</i> = 0.011) and RAScd (OR: 0.890, 95% CI: 0.815-0.972, <i>p</i> < 0.010) were found to be independent predictors of high OPG.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In our study, we found high OPG level was inversely correlated with right atrial strain values and linearly associated with high blood pressure. In order to take advantage of the negative indicators of high OPG, positive results can be obtained in strain values of the right heart by indirectly reducing the afterload of the right heart. This can be done by reducing high systemic blood pressure and providing tight blood pressure control.</p>","PeriodicalId":9434,"journal":{"name":"Cardiovascular Journal of Africa","volume":"34 ","pages":"1-6"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2023-07-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9974748","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The association between CHA₂DS₂-VASc score and aortic valve sclerosis.","authors":"Funda Başyiğit,&nbsp;Havva Tuğba Gürsoy,&nbsp;Özlem Özcan Çelebi,&nbsp;Kevser Gülcihan Balcı,&nbsp;Özgül Uçar Elalmış,&nbsp;Kerem Özbek,&nbsp;Özge Çakmak Karaaslan,&nbsp;Mehmet Ileri,&nbsp;Telat Keleş,&nbsp;Sinan Aydoğdu","doi":"10.5830/CVJA-2023-022","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5830/CVJA-2023-022","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Antithrombotic therapy in atrial fibrillation is generally managed with the CHA₂DS₂-VASc score. Aortic valve sclerosis (AVS) is a focal thickening of the aortic valve without a restriction of motion. AVS is related to several cardiovascular risk factors. Our study was performed to evaluate whether the presence of AVS was associated with the CHA₂DS₂-VASc score.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This cross-sectional, observational study comprised 411 patients with AVS grades 1-3 [AVS (+)] and 102 patients with AVS grade 0 [AVS (-)]. We compared CHA₂DS₂-VASc scores between the AVS (+) and AVS (-) groups.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We determined that the AVS (+) group had a higher CHA₂DS₂-VASc score than the AVS (-) group [3 (0-8) vs 1 (0-4), <i>p</i> < 0.001) ].</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In our study, the CHA₂DS₂-VASc score was found to be higher in patients with AVS than in those without AVS. AVS may predict cardiovascular risk in the general population.</p>","PeriodicalId":9434,"journal":{"name":"Cardiovascular Journal of Africa","volume":"34 ","pages":"1-6"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2023-07-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9920020","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Oxidative metabolism of neutrophils in acute coronary syndrome.","authors":"Elena Proskurnina,&nbsp;Tatiana Danilova,&nbsp;Madina Sozarukova,&nbsp;Artem Snitsar,&nbsp;Anatoly Baranov","doi":"10.5830/CVJA-2023-032","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5830/CVJA-2023-032","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Inflammation in acute coronary syndrome (ACS) involves neutrophil activation and oxidative stress. Here, we studied the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by neutrophils in ACS.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study included 42 patients, men and women aged 46-91 years with ischaemic heart disease (IHD), non-ST-segment elevation ACS and ST-segment elevation ACS. Neutrophil-derived ROS were quantified with double-step stimulated luminol-enhanced chemiluminometry.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The specific indices of spontaneous and double-step stimulated chemiluminescence did not differ in the subgroups of IHD, non-ST-segment elevation ACS and ST-segment elevation ACS. The total double-step stimulated ROS production by neutrophils was significantly higher in ST-segment elevation ACS than in non-ST-segment elevation ACS and IHD.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In ACS, special activation mechanisms of peripherical neutrophils were not triggered in our study. The significant increase in free radical production by neutrophils in acute myocardial infarction was presumably a consequence of an increase in their number.</p>","PeriodicalId":9434,"journal":{"name":"Cardiovascular Journal of Africa","volume":"34 ","pages":"1-5"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2023-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9908847","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Yield of family screening in dilated cardiomyopathy within low-income setting: Tanzanian experience.","authors":"L S Fundikira,&nbsp;J Julius,&nbsp;P Chillo,&nbsp;H Mayala,&nbsp;E Kifai,&nbsp;L W van Laake,&nbsp;A Kamuhabwa,&nbsp;G Kwesigabo,&nbsp;F W Asselbergs","doi":"10.5830/CVJA-2023-037","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.5830/CVJA-2023-037","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is often familial and screening of relatives is recommended. However, studies on the yield of screening are scarce in developing countries.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>The aim of the study was to identify and characterise First-degree relatives of patients with DCM in Tanzania.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We recruited first-degree relatives of 57 DCM patients. DCM in the relatives was diagnosed using the 2016 revised definition by the European Society of Cardiology working group on myocardial and pericardial diseases.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We screened 120 first-degree relatives. All were asymptomatic (100%) with a median age of 39.0 years (29.5-49.0), slightly over a half (53.3%) were females and 17 (14.1%) were found to have previously unknown DCM. The mean (± SD) indexed left ventricular end-diastolic volume was significantly higher in relatives with DCM (71 ± 11.5 ml) compared to relatives without DCM (50 ± 11.5) (<i>p</i> = 0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>First-degree relatives of patients with DCM are at risk of developing asymptomatic DCM at a young age.</p>","PeriodicalId":9434,"journal":{"name":"Cardiovascular Journal of Africa","volume":"34 ","pages":"1-6"},"PeriodicalIF":0.7,"publicationDate":"2023-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"9920019","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}