Cardiac pacing challenge in Sub-Saharan Africa environnement: experience of the Cardiology Department of Teaching Hospital Aristide Le Dantec in Dakar

Background Cardiac pacing is a growing activity in Sub-Saharan Africa. There is little data on the characteristics of this interventional treatment in our regions. The goal was to evaluate the results of cardiac pacing in a referral service in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods We carried out a twelve-year retrospective study (from January 1st, 2004 to December 31st, 2015) in the Cardiology Department of Aristide Le Dantec University Hospital. This work included all patients who received definitive cardiac pacing during the study period and followed up in the service. Results In total we included 606 patients. There was a growing trend in activity with a peak in 2015 (17%). The average age was 70.6 ± 12.03 years. Some patients (15.4%) came from the subregion. The patients were mostly of medium socio-economic level (53%); 14% were of low socio-economic level. Patients were symptomatic in 85% of cases (37.4% syncope). The indications were dominated by complete atrioventricular block (81.5%); sinus dysfunction accounted for 1.9% of them. A temporary pacemaker was used in 60% of cases for an average duration of 5.1 ± 6.3 days. Antibiotics, local anesthesia and analgesics were used in all cases. Implanted pacemakers were single chamber in 56% of cases and double chamber in 44% of cases. In 39 patients (6.4%), the pacemaker was a « re-used » one. The atrial leads were most often placed in a lateral position (94.5%). The ventricular ones were predominantly tined (95.7%) and more often located at the apical level. Complications were noted in 24 patients (3.9%), dominated by devices externalizations and infections, which together accounted for 2.7% of cases. The number of people in the cathlab was significantly higher and the duration of the temporary pacemaker was longer for patients who had a complication. There was no significant difference depending on the type of pacemaker used (new or reused). Seven (7) in hospital death cases were reported. Conclusion Cardiac pacing is a growing activity in Dakar.