Electrophysiology practice in low- and middle-income countries: An updated review on access to care and health delivery

Rabbia Khurshid; Muhammad Awais; Jahanzeb Malik

doi:10.1016/j.hroo.2022.09.002

Electrophysiology practice in low- and middle-income countries: An updated review on access to care and health delivery

Heart Rhythm O2. 2023 Jan 20;4(1):69-77. doi: 10.1016/j.hroo.2022.09.002. eCollection 2023 Jan.

Authors

Rabbia Khurshid¹, Muhammad Awais², Jahanzeb Malik^{2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medicine, Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
² Department of Electrophysiology, Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology, Rawalpindi, Pakistan.
³ Cardiovascular Analytics Group, Hong Kong, China.

Abstract

Concurrent with the epidemiological transition to cardiovascular diseases in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the burden of arrhythmias is increasing significantly. However, registries of electrophysiological disorders and their management in LMICs are limited. The advancement of telemedicine technology can play a distinctive role in providing accurate diagnoses in resource-limited settings. The estimated pacemaker implantation requirements (1 million per year) demand an alternate source of pacemakers, including reused permanent pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. In addition, the majority of supraventricular tachycardias and atrial fibrillation can be managed with radiofrequency ablation, which not only is cost-effective but is curative for most patients.

Keywords: Africa; Atrial fibrillation; Cardiac implantable electronic device; Pacemaker; Subcontinent; Supraventricular tachycardia.

Publication types

Review