Medication Adherence and Blood Pressure Control Among Hypertensive Outpatients Attending a Tertiary Cardiovascular Hospital in Tanzania: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Notwithstanding the availability of effective treatments, asymptomatic nature and the interminable treatment length, adherence to medication remains a substantial challenge among patients with hypertension. Suboptimal adherence to BP-lowering agents is a growing global concern that is associated with the substantial worsening of disease, increased service utilization and health-care cost escalation. This study aimed to explore medication adherence and its associated factors among hypertension outpatients attending a tertiary-level cardiovascular hospital in Tanzania.

Ischemic Stroke at a Tertiary Academic Hospital in Tanzania: A Prospective Cohort Study With a Focus on Presumed Large Vessel Occlusion.

Background: Large vessel ischemic strokes account for more than one-third of all strokes associated with substantial morbidity and mortality without early intervention. The incidence of large vessel occlusion (LVO) is not known in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Definitive vessel imaging is not routinely available in resource-limited settings.

The burden, correlates and outcomes of left ventricular hypertrophy among young Africans with first ever stroke in Tanzania.

Background: Left ventricular hypertrophy is a pathophysiological response often due to chronic uncontrolled hypertension. Our primary aim was to investigate the magnitude, correlates and outcomes of left ventricular hypertrophy as a surrogate maker for chronic uncontrolled hypertension in young adults ≤ 45 years with stroke. Our secondary aim was to determine the accuracy of electrocardiography using Sokolow-Lyon and Cornell criteria in detecting left ventricular hypertrophy compared to echocardiography.

Comparative Effectiveness of Reperfusion Strategies in Patients with ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Secondary Analysis of the Acute Coronary Syndrome Quality Improvement in Kerala (ACS QUIK) Trial.

Introduction: Substantial heterogeneity exists in reperfusion strategies for patients with ST-segment myocardial infarction (STEMI) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We sought to compare outcomes associated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) and non-primary percutaneous coronary intervention (nPPCI) reperfusion strategies in patients with STEMI in Kerala, India.

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with STEMI (n = 8665) from the Acute Coronary Syndrome Quality Improvement in Kerala (ACS QUIK) randomized trial receiving either PPCI (n = 6623) or nPPCI (n = 2042).

Stroke mimics in patients clinically diagnosed with stroke at a tertiary teaching hospital in Tanzania: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Stroke mimics account for up to one-third of acute stroke admissions and are a heterogeneous entity which pose diagnostic challenges. Diagnosing such patients is however crucial to avoid delays in treatment and potentially harmful medication prescription. We aimed at describing the magnitude, clinical characteristics and short-term outcomes of stroke mimics in patients clinically diagnosed with a stroke.

The burden and outcomes of stroke in young adults at a tertiary hospital in Tanzania: a comparison with older adults.

Background: Stroke burden in young adults is growing associated with unique risk factors and devastating outcomes. We aimed to investigate the magnitude, risk factors and outcomes of first ever stroke in young adults ≤45 years compared to older adults > 45 years.

Methods: All patients with a World Health Organization clinical definition of stroke at a tertiary hospital in Tanzania were enrolled.