ADULT CARDIAC SURGERY PATIENT STATISTICS

The relative distribution of patients between valve repair/replacement surgery and coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) has remained constant over the last decade. CABG patients represent the impact of urbanisation with additional burdens of smoking, Western diet and stress. In contrast, the majority of adult valve cases are due to rheumatic heart disease compounded by a high incidence of tuberculosis and informal dwelling amongst the indigent patient.

The age profile difference is clearly visible between that of CABG patients, which is similar to that of both coronary and valve disease patients in First World countries, and the predominantly rheumatic heart disease valve patients (Valve). Rheumatic heart disease, highly prevalent in Third World and developing countries, strikes patients at a much earlier onset in their productive years. The lack of centres capable of performing valve surgery in Sub-Saharan Africa means most of these patients will die unless a solution is found. Transapical/Transcatheter valve replacement which requires less infrastructure, offers an affordable solution.

PAEDIATRIC CARDIAC SURGERY PATIENT STATISTICS

ADULT THORACIC SURGERY PATIENT STATISTICS