Background: Establishing a cardiac unit in developing countries is usually difficult as it is
associated with many obstacles of both expertise and financial constraints and more alarming
is the mortality rate that may be high. Even after success in the initial stage sustainability of
such program is a dilemma. The aim of this study was to determine pattern of disease profile,
type of cardiac surgery done and the overall outcome.
Methods: All patients who underwent cardiac operation at the centre were prospectively
recruited. Patients’ demography and disease characteristics as demonstrated at
echocardiography and its confirmation at operation were recorded. Peri-operative factors
were the measurable statistics that determined the overall patients’ outcome. All data were
entered and analyzed using a SPSS 11.5 window program.
Results: A total of 105 cases of cardiac surgery were done 21% were male and 79% were
females. Mean age was 19.4±12.3. The majority of cases were due to Rheumatic heart
diseases (47.6%), congenital heart disease (35.2%), myxomatous valvular degeneration
(16.2%) and pericardial disease 1%. Mitral valve disease was the commonest cause of cardiac
disease (58.1%). Prolonged duration of aortic cross-clamp and total operation time were
associated with prolonged intensive care stay and poor patients’ outcome respectively
(p<0.05). While, ventricular dysfunction and total cardiopulmonary bypass time were not.
The overall mortality rate was 13.3%. Majority of all death (64.3%) followed mitral valve
repair.
Conclusion: The majority of patients (86.7%) who underwent cardiac surgery had full
recovery. The mortality of (13.3%) is probably comparable to other settings. The diversity of
spectrum of cardiac disease found elsewhere is also found in our community and therefore
need to increase community awareness. Mitral valve repair deserve a special entity that
requires skills and expertise. The mere presence of suboptimal ventricular dysfunction is
probably not a contraindication to cardiac operation. The duration of aortic cross-clamp and
total operation time were determinant of postoperative outcome.