Radiofrequency ablation for ventricular pre-excitation achieved a 93% success rate, but its use as first-line therapy was <30% in western and central Africa versus 88% elsewhere (P<0.001).
Observational (n=541)
Yes
What are the current diagnostic and management approaches for symptomatic and asymptomatic ventricular pre-excitation in Africa?
There are significant regional variations in the management of Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome across Africa, with Northern and Southern regions utilizing more advanced curative treatments like radiofrequency ablation compared to Western and Central Africa.
p-value: p=<0.001
Abstract Background and aim Data are scarce regarding Wolf-Parkinson White syndrome (WPW) syndrome and asymptomatic pre-excitation in Africa. This study tried to understand the current approaches utilized in Africa for the diagnosis and management of both symptomatic and asymptomatic ventricular pre-excitation. Methods The current prospective study was conducted in 20 centers located in 17 countries spanning all areas of Africa. Participants included had ventricular pre-excitation patterns. The data collected included symptoms, locations of accessory pathways (AP) and tachyarrhythmia, risk stratification, as well as acute and long-term management. In addition, we assessed the clinical effectiveness of the centers and the impact of socio-economic and health metrics on these treatment approaches. Results Among 541 participants, 93% were diagnosed with WPW syndrome, with orthodromic atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia (AVRT) being the most prevalent arrhythmia, affecting 55% of the cases. Approximately 30% of patients in Africa, except for the southern region, received intravenous amiodarone as the first-choice drug for orthodromic AVRT while adenosine was the drug of choice in the Southern region. Electrical cardioversion was the first-line treatment for pre-excited atrial fibrillation and antidromic AVRT across all of Africa. Radiofrequency ablation (RF) was the first long-term therapy option for 88% of patients in all African regions, unlike western and central Africa where it was implemented for less than 30% of patients (P0.001). The rates of RF success, long-term recurrence, and complications were 93%, 4.1%, and 3.8%, respectively. Conclusion There are significant variations between African regions in terms of diagnostic workup, accessory pathway localizations, and volume of invasive treatment. Countries in Northern and Southern Africa are more advanced than other African countries in terms of modern management strategy. Additional government investments are necessary to enhance diagnostic likelihood and curative treatments as well as to reduce the gap between different regions in Africa.
BONNY et al. (2025) conducted an observational in Wolf-Parkinson White syndrome and asymptomatic pre-excitation (n=541). Geographic region (Western and Central Africa) vs. Other African regions was evaluated on Implementation of radiofrequency ablation as the first long-term therapy option (p=<0.001). Radiofrequency ablation for ventricular pre-excitation achieved a 93% success rate, but its use as first-line therapy was <30% in western and central Africa versus 88% elsewhere (P<0.001).