Managing Wolf-Parkinson White syndrome and asymptomatic pre-excitation
in Africa: a multicenter pan African registry from 17 countries
Abstract
Background Data are scarce regarding WPW syndrome and asymptomatic
pre-excitation in Africa. Objectives This study aimed to understand how
accessory pathways related arrhythmias are managed in Africa. Methods
This prospective study was conducted in 20 centers from 17 African
countries. All the included participants had ventricular pre-excitation
patterns. The data collected included symptoms, locations of accessory
pathways (AP) and tachyarrhythmia, risk stratification, as well as acute
and long-term management. In addition, we assessed the clinical
effectiveness and the impact of socio-economic and health metrics on
this treatment approach. Results Of 541 participants, 93% were
diagnosed with WPW syndrome, and orthodromic atrioventricular
reciprocating tachycardia (AVRT) was the most prevalent arrhythmia,
affecting 55% of the cases. Approximately 30% of patients, excluding
the southern region, received Intravenous Amiodarone as the first-choice
drug for orthodromic AVRT while Adenosine was the drug of choice in
Southern region. Electrical cardioversion was the first-line treatment
for pre-excited atrial fibrillation and antidromic AVRT across all of
Africa. Radiofrequency ablation was the first long-term therapy option
for 88 % of patients in all African regions, except in western and
central Africa, where it was implemented for less than 30% of patients
(P<0.001). The rates of success, long-term recurrence, and
complication were 93%, 4.1%, and 3.8%, respectively. Conclusion
Significant differences and challenges in the diagnosis and management
strategies among countries are reported across Africa. While several
countries fell short of ideal or expected health expenditures, ablation
techniques are rising with success rates comparable to those in the
developed world.