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The first cardioverter defibrillator implanted in Central Africa


Tantchou Tchoumi Jacques Cabral
Appolonia Budzee
Gianfranco Butera

Abstract

Sudden cardiac deaths, which account for approximately 350 000 deaths each year, is a major health care problem. Antiarrhythmic drugs have not been reliable in preventing sudden cardiac death. Although β-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and revascularization play a role in prevention of sudden cardiac death, the development and subsequent refinement of the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator has made the most important contribution to its management. We report the first documented implantation of a cardioverter defibrillator in central, eastern and western Africa.

Pan African Medical Journal 2016; 23

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eISSN: 1937-8688