Pattern of arrhythmias among patients with heart failure admitted at JKCI

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Arrhythmias significantly impact the mortality and morbidity of individuals with heart failure, placing a substantial burden on healthcare systems worldwide. However, a detailed understanding of the specific arrhythmia patterns among patients admitted to the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) remains lacking. Aim: To determine the prevalence, types, and subtypes of arrhythmias in patients with heart failure admitted to JKCI Methodology: We conducted a four-month hospital-based descriptive cross sectional study involving 241 participants who met inclusion criteria and provided consent. All participants were diagnosed with heart failure based on the Framingham criteria, and necessary investigations, including electrocardiograms (ECGs), were efficiently performed. We used SPSS as the standard statistical software to analyse our data. Results: Our study revealed a prevalence of arrhythmias among heart failure patients admitted to JKCI at 116(48.1%). Supraventricular arrhythmias were predominant, with atrial fibrillation (AF) accounting for 35(14.5%) of cases among all heart failure patients and 35(30.2%) among those with arrhythmias. Sinus tachycardia followed at 22(19.0%), and premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) at 14(12.1%). Heart blocks were also common, with first-degree heart block being the most prevalent at 13(11.2%). Conclusion: Nearly half of heart failure patients at JKCI exhibit arrhythmias. Supraventricular arrhythmias, particularly atrial fibrillation, represent the most common subtype among arrhythmic heart failure patients, impacting 30.2% of this population and 14.5% of all heart failure patients Understanding the various arrhythmia types is crucial for improving management strategies