Cardiac Catheterization in Port Harcourt: Initial Two Years’ Experience

Abstract

Introduction: Cardiac catheterization for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes is now routinely done at the Save a Life Port Harcourt, since last two years. Also included are cardiac devices which include pacemakers, Implantable Cardiac Defibrillators and Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy. In this retrospective study, we review our initial two years’ experience of Cardiac Catheterization at the Save a Life Mission Hospital, Port Harcourt. Methods: This is a retrospective study over a period of two years, form 1st February, 2021 to 31st March, 2023. A total of 216 consecutive diagnostic and therapeutic cardiac catheterization including cardiac devices performed in Save a life Mission Hospital between 1st February 2021 to 31st March 2023 were evaluated. Among them 88; (40.7%) were coronary angiogram, 41 (18.98%) percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and stenting, 59(27.3%) permanent pacemaker insertion, 29 (13.4%) Implantable cardioverter defibrillators, 14 (6.5%) cardiac resynchronization therapy and 26 (12.1%) with peripheral angiography. Six patients were referred for coronary artery bypass surgery. Vascular complications [groin hematoma] occurred in two patients (0.9%). Conclusion: Both diagnostic and therapeutic cardiac catheterization procedures are safe with very low risk of complications even in its initial experience. The optimate goal of these procedures is to ensure the safety of the patients.