TITLE:
Epidemiological, Clinical, Paraclinical and Therapeutic Profiles of Heart Rhythm Disturbances in Patients with Heart Failure at the Renaissance University Hospital Center in N’Djamena, Chad
AUTHORS:
Adam Ahamat Ali, Doune Narcisse, Mbaidedjim Syvain, Yusra Aboulbachar, Savom Antangana Joyce, Kabore Assane, Brahim Nassour Aware, Tessou Nadia
KEYWORDS:
Heart Failure, Arrhythmia, N’Djamena
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases,
Vol.16 No.9,
September
7,
2026
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Heart failure (HF) represents a major public health challenge worldwide, with particularly high morbidity and mortality with its growing burden in sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of this study was to describe the characteristics of arrhythmias in patients with HF in the Renaissance University Hospital Center in N’Djamena, Chad. Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective and analytical cross-sectional study conducted over a 5-year period. All medical records of patients who had presented with arrhythmias and were hospitalized for HF in the Cardiology Department were included. We examined sociodemographic, clinical, paraclinical and therapeutic course variables. Results: In total, we included 114 cases out of 170 records reviewed. Males were the most common (75%), with a sex ratio of 2.9. The mean age was 54 ± 24 years. The predominant cardiovascular risk factor was hypertension (52%). Clinically, patients presented with left ventricular heart failure in 72% of cases. Supraventricular arrhythmias were the most common, accounting for 70.2% of cases (n = 80), of which 38% were atrial fibrillation and 15% were atrial flutter. In addition to treatment for HF, 19.3% of patients had received Amiodarone. External defibrillation was performed in 3.5% of cases. The in-hospital mortality rate was 8.8%. Conclusion: This study shows that arrhythmias are common in HF, with a predominance of supraventricular arrhythmias, particularly atrial fibrillation. Optimal treatment of HF and control of risk factors can improve a patients’ quality of life and prognosis.