Impact of early continuous positive airway pressure in the delivery room (DR-CPAP) on neonates < 1500 g in a low-resource setting: a protocol for a pilot feasibility and acceptability randomized controlled trial.

Background: Preterm birth is the leading cause of childhood mortality, and respiratory distress syndrome is the predominant cause of these deaths. Early continuous positive airway pressure is effective in high-resource settings, reducing the rate of continuous positive airway pressure failure, and the need for mechanical ventilation and surfactant. However, most deaths in preterm infants occur in low-resource settings without access to mechanical ventilation or surfactant.

Congenital heart disease cardiac catheterization at Uganda Heart Institute, a 12-year retrospective study of immediate outcomes.

Background: Cardiac catheterization is an invasive diagnostic and treatment tool for congenital heart disease (CHD) with potential complications.

Objective: To describe the immediate outcomes of patients who underwent cardiac catheterization for CHD at the Uganda Heart Institute (UHI).

Methods: The study was a retrospective chart review of 857 patients who underwent cardiac catheterization for CHD at UHI from 1st February 2012 to 30th June 2023.

Primary surgical repair of tetralogy of fallot at the Uganda Heart Institute: a ten-year review of 30day mortality and morbidity.

Background: Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is the most common form of cyanotic congenital heart disease (CHD) worldwide. It accounts for 7% of CHD cases in Uganda and leads to fatal outcomes in the long term without surgery. Surgery is often delayed in developing countries like Uganda due to limited resources.

Health Related Quality of Life of Ugandan Children Following Valve Replacement Surgery for Rheumatic Heart Disease.

Background: Valve replacement surgery (VRS) improves clinical outcomes in patients with severe rheumatic heart disease (RHD). However, lifelong anticoagulation and frequent monitoring are required, which potentially impacts health-related quality of life (HRQoL). In this study, we assessed the HRQoL of people with RHD in Uganda following VRS.

Cardiovascular Complications of Down Syndrome: Scoping Review and Expert Consensus.

Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in individuals with Down syndrome. Congenital heart disease is the most common cardiovascular condition in this group, present in up to 50% of people with Down syndrome and contributing to poor outcomes. Additional factors contributing to cardiovascular outcomes include pulmonary hypertension; coexistent pulmonary, endocrine, and metabolic diseases; and risk factors for atherosclerotic disease.

Meeting Report: First Cardiovascular Outcomes Research in Perioperative Medicine Conference.

The first Cardiovascular Outcomes Research in Perioperative Medicine (COR-PM) conference took place on May 13, 2022, in Palm Springs, CA, and online. Here, we: (1) summarize the background, objective, and aims of the COR-PM meeting; (2) describe the conduct of the meeting; and (3) outline future directions for scientific meetings aimed at fostering high-quality clinical research in the broader perioperative medicine community.

Positive impact of training rural health workers in identification and prevention of acute rheumatic fever in eastern Uganda.

Background: Diagnosis of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is mainly clinical. Delayed or missed diagnosis and failure to administer appropriate and timely treatment of ARF leads to rheumatic heart disease (RHD), which could necessitate expensive treatments such as open-heart surgery. Implementation of preventative guidelines depends on availability of trained healthcare workers.

Trends in Annual Incidence Rates of Newly Diagnosed Endomyocardial Fibrosis Cases at the Uganda Heart Institute: A 14-Year Review.

Background: First described in Uganda over seven decades ago, Endomyocardial fibrosis (EMF) is a rare form of restrictive cardiomyopathy found in the tropics. EMF occurs mainly in two phenotypes; biventricular involvement and right ventricular (RV) form. Previously endemic in several countries, there are reports suggesting that the disease is on the decline.

Pulmonary Hypertension in Children across Africa: The Silent Threat.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a complex puzzle in Africa, especially among children who present with a cocktail of issues including recurrent pulmonary infections, unoperated congenital heart disease, and advanced rheumatic heart disease. Sickle cell anemia and neonatal complications of transiting from fetal circulation also contribute to the burden of pulmonary hypertension. Mortality from pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) remains high in Africa (18-21%), claiming sufferers in the first 6 months after diagnosis.

Establishment of a cardiac telehealth program to support cardiovascular diagnosis and care in a remote, resource-poor setting in Uganda.

Introduction: To address workforce shortages and expand access to care, we developed a telemedicine program incorporating existing infrastructure for delivery of cardiovascular care in Gulu, Northern Uganda. Our study had three objectives: 1) assess feasibility and clinical impact 2) evaluate patient/parent satisfaction and 3) estimate costs.

Methods: All cardiology clinic visits during a two-year study period were included.

Pattern of congenital heart disease among children presenting to the Uganda Heart Institute, Mulago Hospital: a 7-year review.

Background: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common congenital anomaly in children. Over half of the deaths due to CHD occur in the neonatal period. Most children with unrepaired complex heart lesions do not live to celebrate their first birthday.

Hand Colonization with Gram-Negative Organisms of Healthcare Workers Accessing the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit: A Cross-Sectional Study at the Uganda Heart Institute.

Background: Hands of healthcare workers (HCWs) are vehicles for pathogens responsible for healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Following the identification of Gram-negative organisms (GNOs) in all cases of HAIs in the cardiac intensive care unit (ICU), we sought to determine the burden of hand colonization with GNOs among healthcare workers who access the cardiac ICU.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed results from surveillance cultures of fingertip imprints of HCWs who access the cardiac ICU at the Uganda Heart Institute.

Decreased Prevalence of Rheumatic Heart Disease Confirmed Among HIV-positive Youth.

Background: There is geographical overlap between areas endemic for rheumatic heart disease (RHD) and those endemic for HIV. A recent pilot study demonstrated that children living with HIV might be at less risk for RHD development; however, the sample size was too small to make definitive conclusions. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of RHD among HIV-positive children in Uganda.

Prevalence and characteristics of primary left-sided valve disease in a cohort of 15,000 patients undergoing echocardiography studies in a tertiary hospital in Uganda.

Background: Although rheumatic heart disease remains the leading cause of valve heart disease (VHD) in developing countries, other forms of valve disease have been over shadowed and not regarded as a public health problem. However, several facts suggest that the role of non-rheumatic VHD as a significant cardiovascular disease should be reconsidered. We aimed to assess the prevalence and characteristics of different forms of primary left sided valve diseases from a series of 15,009 echocardiographic studies.

Latent Rheumatic Heart Disease: Identifying the Children at Highest Risk of Unfavorable Outcome.

Background: Screening echocardiography has emerged as a potentially powerful tool for early diagnosis of rheumatic heart disease (RHD). The utility of screening echocardiography hinges on the rate of RHD progression and the ability of penicillin prophylaxis to improve outcome. We report the longitudinal outcomes of a cohort of children with latent RHD and identify risk factors for unfavorable outcomes.

Pediatric cardiovascular care in Uganda: Current status, challenges, and opportunities for the future.

In many developing countries, concerted action against common childhood infectious diseases has resulted in remarkable reduction in infant and under-five mortality. As a result, pediatric cardiovascular diseases are emerging as a major contributor to childhood morbidity and mortality. Pediatric cardiac surgery and cardiac catheterization interventions are available in only a few of Sub-Saharan African countries.

Cardiac Dysfunction Among Ugandan HIV-infected Children on Antiretroviral Therapy.

Background: Despite effective antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV-infected children on treatment have been observed to have cardiac abnormalities. We sought to determine the prevalence, types and factors associated with cardiac abnormalities among HIV-infected Ugandan children on combination ART.

Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study from July 2012 to January 2013, at Joint Clinical Research Centre among HIV-infected children aged 1-18 years.

Brief Report: Prevalence of Latent Rheumatic Heart Disease Among HIV-Infected Children in Kampala, Uganda.

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) remains highly prevalent in resource-constrained settings around the world, including countries with high rates of HIV/AIDS. Although both are immune-mediated diseases, it is unknown whether HIV modifies the risk or progression of RHD. We performed screening echocardiography to determine the prevalence of latent RHD in 488 HIV-infected children aged 5-18 in Kampala, Uganda.