Assessing and Improving the Care of Patients With Heart Failure in Ghana: Protocol for a Prospective Observational Study and the Ghana Heart Initiative-Heart Failure Registry

Abstract

BackgroundHeart failure (HF) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, with a high disease burden. The prevalence of HF in Ghana is increasing rapidly, but epidemiological profiles, treatment patterns, and survival data are scarce. The national capacity to diagnose and manage HF appropriately is also limited. To address the growing epidemic of HF, it is crucial to recognize the epidemiological characteristics and medium-term outcomes of HF in Ghana and improve the capability to identify and manage HF promptly and effectively at all levels of care. ObjectiveThis study aims to determine the epidemiological characteristics and medium-term HF outcomes in Ghana. MethodsWe conducted a prospective, multicenter, multilevel cross-sectional observational study of patients with HF from January to December 2023. Approximately 5000 patients presenting with HF to 9 hospitals, including teaching, regional, and municipal hospitals, will be recruited and evaluated according to a standardized protocol, including the use of an echocardiogram and an N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) test. Guideline-directed medical treatment of HF will be initiated for 6 months, and the medium-term outcomes of interventions, including rehospitalization and mortality, will be assessed. Patient data will be collated into a HF registry for continuous assessment and monitoring. ResultsThis intervention will generate the necessary information on the etiology of HF, clinical presentations, the diagnostic yield of various tools, and management outcomes. In addition, it will build the necessary capacity and support for HF management in Ghana. As of July 30, 2023, the training and onboarding of all 9 centers had been completed. Preliminary analyses will be conducted by the end of the second quarter of 2024, and results are expected to be publicly available by the middle of 2024. ConclusionsThis study will provide the necessary data on HF, which will inform decisions on the prevention and management of HF and form the basis for future research. Trial RegistrationISRCTN Registry (United Kingdom) ISRCTN18216214; https:www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN18216214 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/52616