Echocardiography in Indigenous Populations and Resource Poor Settings

Heart Lung Circ. 2019 Sep;28(9):1427-1435. doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2019.05.176. Epub 2019 Jun 10.

Abstract

The majority of global cardiovascular disease burden occurs in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) and indigenous populations. Although common diseases, such as ischaemic heart disease, cause significant burden, there are also neglected diseases. Forgotten by many, these diseases-including rheumatic heart disease, endomyocardial fibrosis and Chagas cardiomyopathy-continue to take a tremendous toll on a large proportion of the world's population. Whilst the technology of echocardiography continues to evolve in many high-income countries, low resource countries are working out how to make this vital tool available and affordable for the most remote and poorest populations. This paper aims to highlight the neglected cardiovascular diseases and their echocardiographic features. It also highlights the latest research in relation to portable echocardiography, task shifting and disease screening. The authors make recommendations in relation to future directions, including making echocardiography an affordable and accessible tool for all.

Keywords: Chagas cardiomyopathy; Echocardiography; Endomyocardial fibrosis; Indigenous; Rheumatic heart disease; Screening.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Chagas Cardiomyopathy* / diagnostic imaging
  • Chagas Cardiomyopathy* / economics
  • Echocardiography / economics*
  • Endomyocardial Fibrosis* / diagnostic imaging
  • Endomyocardial Fibrosis* / economics
  • Humans
  • Poverty*
  • Rheumatic Heart Disease* / diagnostic imaging
  • Rheumatic Heart Disease* / economics