Building focused cardiac ultrasound capacity in a lower middle-income country: A single centre study to assess training impact.

Background: In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) where echocardiography experts are in short supply, training non-cardiologists to perform Focused Cardiac Ultrasound (FoCUS) could minimise diagnostic delays in time-critical emergencies. Despite advocacy for FoCUS training however, opportunities in LMICs are limited, and the impact of existing curricula uncertain. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of FoCUS training based on the Focus Assessed Transthoracic Echocardiography (FATE) curriculum.

Resource and Infrastructure-Appropriate Management of ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

The 143 low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) of the world constitute 80% of the world's population or roughly 5.86 billion people with much variation in geography, culture, literacy, financial resources, access to health care, insurance penetration, and healthcare regulation. Unfortunately, their burden of cardiovascular disease in general and acute ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in particular is increasing at an unprecedented rate.

Development of the certificate course in the management of hypertension in Africa (CCMH-Africa): proceedings of the first continental faculty meeting, Nairobi, Kenya, 25-26 February 2018.

Background: In response to the call by the World Health Organisation to reduce premature deaths from non-communicable diseases by 25% by the year 2025 (25×25), the Pan-African Society of Cardiology (PASCAR), in partnership with several organisations, including the World Heart Federation, have developed an urgent 10-point action plan to improve detection, treatment and control of hypertension in Africa. Priority six of this action plan is to promote a task-shifting/task-sharing approach in the management of hypertension.

Aim: This capacity-building initiative aims to enhance the knowledge, skills and core competences of primary healthcare physicians in the management of hypertension and related complications.

Roadmap to Achieve 25% Hypertension Control in Africa by 2025.

Background: The Pan-African Society of Cardiology (PASCAR) has identified hypertension as the highest area of priority action to reduce heart disease and stroke on the continent.

Objectives: The aim of this PASCAR roadmap on hypertension was to develop practical guidance on how to implement strategies that translate existing knowledge into effective action and improve detection, treatment and control of hypertension and cardiovascular health in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) by the year 2025.

Methods: Development of this roadmap started with the creation of a consortium of experts with leadership skills in hypertension.

Roadmap to achieve 25% hypertension control in Africa by 2025.

Background And Aim: The Pan-African Society of Cardiology (PASCAR) has identified hypertension as the highest area of priority for action to reduce heart disease and stroke on the continent. The aim of this PASCAR roadmap on hypertension was to develop practical guidance on how to implement strategies that translate existing knowledge into effective action and improve detection, treatment and control of hypertension and cardiovascular health in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) by the year 2025.

Methods: Development of this roadmap started with the creation of a consortium of experts with leadership skills in hypertension.

Rationale and design of the Pan-African Sudden Cardiac Death survey: the Pan-African SCD study.

Background: The estimated rate of sudden cardiac death (SCD) in Western countries ranges from 300,000 to 400,000 annually, which represents 0.36 to 1.28 per 1 000 inhabitants in Europe and the United States.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of atrial fibrillation and flutter at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi.

Introduction: Scant data exist on the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of atrial fibrillation in Kenya. Traditionally, atrial fibrillation (AF) in sub-Saharan Africa is as a result of rheumatic valve disease. However, with the economic transition in sub-Saharan Africa, risk factors and associated complications of this arrhythmia are likely to change.

A prospective review of acute coronary syndromes in an urban hospital in sub-Saharan Africa.

Objectives: To determine the epidemiology of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods: A prospective survey was carried out of all patients with a diagnosis of ACS who were admitted to the critical care unit of a tertiary teaching hospital over a 25-month period. Demographics, presentation, management and outcomes were subsequently recorded.