Author(s)

Youssouf Camara¹, Hamidou Oumar Ba², Ibrahima Sangaré², Boubacar Sonfo¹, Coumba Adiaratou Thiam¹, Mahamadou Sékou Diakité¹, Koniba Diarra¹, Karamba Touré¹, Massama Konaté³, Ichaka Menta²

¹Cardiology Department, University Hospital Professeur Bocar Sidi Sall Kati, Kati, Mali.
²Cardiology Department, University Hospital Gabriel Touré, Bamako, Mali.
³Cardiology Department, Mali Hospital, Bamako, Mali.

Introduction: Exercise stress testing (on a treadmill or ergometer bicycle) is an important test in cardiology for diagnosing myocardial ischemia. This test in Mali is still in its beginning compared to other countries in the sub-region. The lack of data in Mali prompted this study, which aimed to evaluate the indications of this activity and its diagnostic contribution to cardiology in Mali. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective, descriptive study. The study was conducted at the “TOUCAM” medical clinic in Kati based on the analysis of stress test reports between January 2016 and August 2022. Result: During the study period, we documented 73 patients who underwent exercise testing on a bicycle ergometer for suspected coronary heart disease. The mean age of our patients was 47.5 ± 13.8 years (14 and 79 years). Males accounted for the majority (78.1%). The sex ratio is 3.5. More than half of our patients were overweight or obese (77.1%). Hypertension and diabetes affected 52.1% and 25.8% of patients, respectively. 20.8% of patients had coronary artery disease. renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers (56.8%) and beta-blockers (51.3%). The main indications were chest pain (63.0%) and ischemia detection (15.1%). A modified STEEP protocol was used. The majority of our patients (71.2%) achieved at least 85% of their maximum theoretical heart rate. The main reason for the termination of the study was fatigue (57.3%). The average duration was 11.3 ± 4.2 minutes. 24.7% thought the stress tests were positive and 17.8% thought they were controversial. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the importance of stress testing in the diagnosis and treatment of ischemic heart disease, especially in settings where we have very limited access to coronary angiography.

Stress Test, Ischemic Heart Disease, Mali

Camara, Y. , Ba, H. , Sangaré, I. , Sonfo, B. , Thiam, C. , Diakité, M. , Diarra, K. , Touré, K. , Konaté, M. and Menta, I. (2024) Contribution of Stress Testing to the Management of Ischemic Heart Disease in Mali. World Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases, 14, 77-87. doi: 10.4236/wjcd.2024.142007.