THE NIGERIAN ATRIAL FIBRILLATION NATIONAL REGISTRY: RATIONALE, DESIGN AND EARLY FINDINGS.

Introduction/background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia. The AF Atrial Fibrillation Registry, which commenced in June 2023, was designed to provide clinical epidemiological data on patients with AF in the country.

Objective(s): The objective is to describe the rationale, design, and early findings from the registry.

Right ventricular function in treatment-naïve human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients.

Background: Right ventricular dysfunction carries a poorer prognosis in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients. The objectives of this study were to ascertain the prevalence of right ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction, as well as its predictors, in antiretroviral therapy-naïve HIV-positive patients.

Methods: Participants in this cross-sectional, descriptive study comprised 60 HIV-positive patients and 60 HIV-negative controls.

Impact of transportation policy on injury characteristics in a teaching hospital, Calabar, Nigeria.

Introduction: The global burden of road traffic injury (RTI)-related trauma is enormous and has the highest impact in low income economies. Loss of lives in the most productive age groups and the socio-economic costs to these weak economies, coupled with poor infrastructure for management of the severely injured dictate that well executed preventive measures be instituted in these countries. Low and middle income economies account for 90% RTI-related deaths in the world, yet in these regions, public health regulations on road safety hardly exist and where they do, are hardly enforced.

Epidemiology of death in the emergency department of a tertiary health centre south-south of Nigeria.

Background: The emergency department (E.D) of any hospital is an important entry point of critically ill patients. The initial management of these patients is often challenging, and for valuable lives to be saved, the in fracture and manpower should be up to date.

External jig-aided intramedullary interlocking nailing of diaphyseal fractures: experience from a tropical developing centre.

Intramedullary interlocking nailing for diaphyseal fractures is a standard treatment option in affluent societies. These procedures are often performed under image intensifier guidance. The cost of these gadgets precludes their common use in resource poor regions.

Attitude and perception of patients towards amputation as a form of surgical treatment in the University of Calabar teaching hospital, Nigeria.

Background: A survey of the attitude and perception of a cross- section of residents of Calabar to therapeutic limb amputation was done to determine the level of knowledge and understanding of the indications, advantages as well as the prospects for the amputees in our environment.

Patients And Methods: Structured questionnaires were administered to adults at the Orthopaedic Unit of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar. Data obtained from the study was analyzed using EPI Info software version 2002.

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in Calabar, southern Nigeria.

Background: Several studies have shown that in Africa squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is commoner than other skin malignancies. The risk factors are grouped generally into solar and nonsolar factors and their contributions vary with race, geographical region and site of lesion. This study attempted to identify risk factors and outcome of management of this problem in our region of southern Nigeria.

Lightning burns and traditional medical treatment: a case report.

Background: Lightning strikes are relatively uncommon. In our culture where superstitions are strong and natural events often linked to evil forces, the traditional bonesetter/healer is often consulted first. Patients then seek orthodox care when complications develop.

Incidence of leaving against medical advice (LAMA) among patients admitted at the accident and emergency unit of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria.

Background: The causes and incidence of the commonly observed phenomenon of leaving against medical advice (LAMA) in our hospitals have not been studied. This retrospective study was aimed at evaluating its incidence and pattern in order to suggest possible solutions.

Methodology: The case files of patients who left against medical advice at the Casualty unit of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital between July 2002 and December 2003 were retrieved from the Medical Records Department and information regarding age, sex, education/occupation, religion, diagnosis, reason(s) for leaving and duration of stay in casualty were extracted.

Acute bilateral anterior shoulder dislocation following domestic assault--case report.

A rare case of acute bilateral anterior shoulder dislocation in an elderly woman is presented. This injury resulted from domestic physical assault by her daughter inlaw. Patient defaulted after initial treatment--a common practice by patients in our society.

Gunshot injuries in Calabar, Nigeria: an indication of increasing societal violence and police brutality.

Background: Gunshot injuries were rare in Calabar before the Nigerian civil war. This has changed in subsequent years and has reached a near epidemic proportion in the last three years. These are caused by civil violence, police brutality and armed robberies.

The use of external fixators: a review of literature and experiences in a developing world.

Background: The introduction of external fixation devices has brought significant improvement in the management of complex open fractures. Its importance and versatility ranges from its use as temporary fixation device in fractures with soft tissue and vascular injuries to its use in definitive correction of limb length deformities and congenital malformations. It avoids extensive soft tissue damage and enhances easy management of associated soft tissue injuries.