The spectrum, prevalence and in-hospital outcomes of cardiovascular diseases in a South African district hospital: a retrospective study.

Introduction: The increasing prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in South African rural communities is well reported. However, the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) leading to hospital admission and related in-hospital mortality in rural and semi-rural hospitals is unknown.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of hospital records for patients admitted to the Department of Internal Medicine at Dora Nginza Hospital in Port Elisabeth, South Africa between 1 April and 31 October 2016.

Intracranial pressure management in patients with human immunodeficiency virus-associated cryptococcal meningitis in a resource-constrained setting.

Background: Cryptococcal meningitis (CCM) is the leading cause of meningitis in people living with HIV (PLWH) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). The mortality and morbidity associated with CCM remain high. Combination of antifungal therapy, diligent management of intracranial pressure (IP) and the correct timing of the introduction of antiretroviral therapy (ART) minimise the risk of mortality and morbidity.