Oluwatoyin Ogunkunle
University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Title: Initial experience with interventional cardiology and definitive solutions for structural heart diseases in a resource-challenged setting
Biography
Biography: Oluwatoyin Ogunkunle
Abstract
The first case of open-heart surgery in the University College Hospital, Ibadan took place on December 19, 1978. Since then, various attempts have been made to provide definitive solutions for patients with structural cardiac diseases, but up till now, no permanent regular service exists. We present our initial experience with interventional cardiology and open-heart surgery in a resource-challenged setting. The challenges encountered are discussed and the solutions we have proffered with each situation are presented as we forge ahead towards achieving a more regular service for interventional cardiology and open-heart surgery in our center. In January 2016, eight children underwent diagnostic cardiac catheterization with a view to perform possible corrective intervention. Two subsequently had device closure of patent ductus arteriosus, the first in the history of the hospital. Four patients (one with a large atrial septal defect, one severe pulmonary stenosis, and two with Fallot’s tetralogy) were deemed to be more suitable for open-heart surgery. One with muscular ventricular septal defect was thought to be too small to need intervention. The last patient, initially thought to have a coarctation of the aorta, was found to have normal cardiac anatomy. The patient with large ASD and VSD, and one of the two with Fallot’s tetralogy, subsequently underwent successful total repair of their lesions in our facility. The successful outcome in the four patients has encouraged us to be optimistic that despite various resource challenges, it will soon be possible to establish a regular service for interventional cardiology and open-heart surgery in our center.