Effect of a Cardiac Rehabilitation Program on Chronic Heart Failure Patients in Yaoundé, Cameroon (CARECA-CHF study)

Abstract

Background: Improving heart failure (HF) management strategies in sub-Saharan Africa in general and in Cameroon in particular is essential to reduce cardiovascular mortality. Cardiovascular rehabilitation techniques (CRT) can improve the prognosis of HF but
remain poorly evaluated and little used in our context.

Methods: To evaluate their short-term effect, we conducted a nonrandomized, before and-after clinical trial, including 13 voluntary Cameroonian followed for chronic stable HF, in a CRT program including exercise training activities, therapeutic and nutritional
education, and psychological support. Our endpoints were changes in maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) estimated by the six-minute walk test, exercise duration and maximal load performed during the exercise test, anxiety and depression score (HADS),
quality of life score (MLHFQ) measured before and after the trial.

Results: We observed a significant improvement in maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max before versus VO2 max after, p<0.001), maximal exercise duration, maximal load during the Exercise Test. We also observed a significant decrease in the anxiety and depression score and an improvement in quality of life.

Conclusion: CRT can be useful in our context. It is important that public health authorities and practitioners improve this component in the management of patients with CHF.