CARDIOVASCULAR JOURNAL OF AFRICA
Peer reviewed internationally accredited and indexed in PubMed Indexed and abstracted in SCI Expanded (SciSearch) and Journal Citation Reports/Science Edition
Dear colleague, With the forthcoming ESC Congress focusing on cardiac imaging, the Cardiovascular Journal of Africa publishes in this issue three interesting case studies using these technologies to improve diagnosis and management of cardiac conditions pertinent to Africa. In this issue, we also for the first time link video images to a published article (item 3). Myocardial tuberculosis diagnosed using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in an HIV-positive patient. In sub-Saharan Africa, pericardial tuberculosis is frequently diagnosed in HIV sero-positive patients; but myocardial involvement is rarely reported and the diagnosis is usually made after death. Using inversion-recovery gradient echo sequencing, cardiac tuberculosis was diagnosed and successfully treated using TB chemotherapy in this immuno-compromised patient not receiving HAART. Click here to view full text
MRI diagnosis of effusive-constrictive pericarditis of tuberculosis origin This is the first case report, according to the authors, following extensive literature research, to show the value of early enhancement MRI in delineating epicardial and pericardial inflammation in effusive-constrictive pericarditis Click here to view full text
Systolic septal motion studies by cine DENSE MRI in tuberculosis pericarditis Constrictive pericarditis can lead to paradoxical inter-ventricular motion. Displacement encoding with stimulated echoes (DENSE) MRI was used to quantify in this patient the systolic septal wall motion following cardiac surgery. Click here to view full text (Link to videos)
Handy pocket book on cardiac imaging; direct diagnosis
We publish a review of this book by the Stellenbosch University Department of Radiology, which notes, ‘this is an extremely useful tool in guiding not only radiologists but clinicians requesting cardiac imaging. The pocket-sized book takes you through this rapidly expanding field. It provides data enabling imaging choices for a wide variety of pathologies from coronary artery stenosis to lesserknown entities such as ventricular non-compaction and arrythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia’. Click here to view full text Resistance exercise training is not of value in altering lipoprotein profiles favourably This careful study from the Vaal and Tshwane Universities of Technology indicates that resistance training appears to have no significant effect on lipid and lipoprotein profiles in sedentary male smokers and therefore can’t prevent the advance of CAD. Click here to view full text Drug Trends in Cardiology This section of the Journal covers a recent cardiometabolic symposium Click here to view full text with local experts’ views; reports on the first study to look at the clopidogrel needs of diabetic patients undergoing their first stent placement, indicating a life-saving need for longer usage; vardenafil and testosterone supplementation following quick and easy measurement of free testosterone Click here to view full text; and regression of atherosclerosis using rosuvastatin. Other local articles on shift work and its effect on cardiovascular health; genetic aspects of beta-blocker usage, and the microvascular benefits of glucose lowering complete this July/August issue. Happy reading The Editorial Team Cardiovascular Journal of Africa www.cvja.co.za