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Clinical features of acute myocardial infarction: A report from Halibet Referral Hospital in Eritrea
Abstract
Background: Acute myocardial infarction is one of the commonest manifestations of ischemic heart diseases
treated at a hospital setting. Coronary heart disease (CHD) has been reported to be rare in Africa due to
environmental rather than genetic factors. To our knowledge there is no study done about CHD in Eritrean
patients. We undertook a retrospective study of data from clinical records of patients admitted to the intensive
care unit following diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) during four years period from May 1997 to
June 2001.
Objective: To determine the incidence and risk factors of AMI in Eritrea.
Methods: Clinical records of all confirmed cases of AMI admitted to Halibet Hospital in Asmara, Eritrea, were
reviewed, criteria for diagnosis set and risk factors analyzed. The incidence of AMI was compared to the general
medical admission to the intensive care unit (ICU).
Findings: There were 71 cases of AMI giving an incidence of 4.35 per 1000 admissions to Halibet referral
hospital. The average age was about 60 years and the male female ratio was 5 to 1. Uncontrolled hypertension,
diabetes mellitus and smoking were the major risk factors identified. Mortality rate was found to be at 35.8%.
Interpretation: AMI is not rare in Eritrea. The risk factors for AMI in our setting were similar to those reported
in other studies done elsewhere. Westernized life style may further increase the incidence of AMI.
treated at a hospital setting. Coronary heart disease (CHD) has been reported to be rare in Africa due to
environmental rather than genetic factors. To our knowledge there is no study done about CHD in Eritrean
patients. We undertook a retrospective study of data from clinical records of patients admitted to the intensive
care unit following diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) during four years period from May 1997 to
June 2001.
Objective: To determine the incidence and risk factors of AMI in Eritrea.
Methods: Clinical records of all confirmed cases of AMI admitted to Halibet Hospital in Asmara, Eritrea, were
reviewed, criteria for diagnosis set and risk factors analyzed. The incidence of AMI was compared to the general
medical admission to the intensive care unit (ICU).
Findings: There were 71 cases of AMI giving an incidence of 4.35 per 1000 admissions to Halibet referral
hospital. The average age was about 60 years and the male female ratio was 5 to 1. Uncontrolled hypertension,
diabetes mellitus and smoking were the major risk factors identified. Mortality rate was found to be at 35.8%.
Interpretation: AMI is not rare in Eritrea. The risk factors for AMI in our setting were similar to those reported
in other studies done elsewhere. Westernized life style may further increase the incidence of AMI.
