ArticleBMC cardiovascular disorders2025
Heart failure outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review of recent studies conducted after the 2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA guideline release.
Article in BMC cardiovascular disorders, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 8 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
8 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Heart failure in Somalia: a scoping review of the epidemiology, etiology, clinical characteristics, management, outcomes, and evidence gaps.Frontiers in cardiovascular medicine · 2026Pooled it
- Electrolyte disturbance profiles and associated factors in Somali patients with heart failure.Annals of medicine and surgery (2012) · 2026Review
- Review
- Non-Cardiac Comorbidities in Acute Heart Failure: Phenotype-Specific Insights from Sub-Saharan Africa.Journal of clinical medicine · 2026Article
- Assessment of prescriber adherence to guideline-directed medical therapy for heart failure at Jimma Medical Center, Ethiopia.International journal of cardiology. Cardiovascular risk and prevention · 2026Article
- Evidence-based medical therapies for acute heart failure in Cameroon: a retrospective analysis of prescription patterns at Laquintinie Hospital, Douala, 2022-2024.Scientific reports · 2025Article
- Observational
- Clinical Profile of Heart Failure Patients and Evaluation of the Prescribing Practice of Guideline Directed Medical Therapy (GDMT) at Rwanda Military Referral and Teaching Hospital: A Retrospective Study.International journal of general medicine · 2025Article
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Authors and funding
8 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundHeart failure (HF) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) presents unique challenges, with high prevalence and distinct epidemiological features compared to high-income settings. Despite its burden, recent comprehensive data are lacking, especially amidst recent 2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA guideline release. This scoping review aims to map the literature on HF in SSA, focusing on aetiologies, structural abnormalities, management practices, and outcomes to identify research gaps and inform clinical practice.
methodsStudies from 2022-2024 published in English or French were included, covering adult patients > 18 years, all study designs except case reports. Studies not reporting any outcomes or focusing solely on one HF subtype were excluded. Literature from all SSA countries was searched using a FACET approach in databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, Cochrane and Scopus.
resultsTen studies, evaluating 2039 patients, were analysed. Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and Hypertensive cardiomyopathy (HCM) emerged as prominent aetiologies. Rheumatic heart disease was reported in only four studies. Common issues included high rates of electrolyte disturbances and anemia, which influenced patient outcomes. Guideline adherence exhibited significant deficiencies, notably with a suboptimal prescription rate of SGLT2 inhibitors (8.3-24.7%). Mortality rates ranged from 3.7% to 19%, linked to factors like low blood pressure and electrolyte imbalances. Hospital stays were variable but significant rehospitalization were common within 8-15 days post discharge and associated with non-compliance and lifestyle factors.
conclusionHCM and DCM are prevalent heart failure aetiologies in SSA. Longitudinal studies are recommended to contextualise aetiological diagnosis and validate prognostic tools amidst limited resources. Enhanced guideline adherence, hypertension control and efficient post-discharge care are essential to reduce morbidity and mortality.
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