Is it time to change? Portable echocardiography demonstrates high prevalence of abnormalities in self-presenting members of a rural community in Kyrgyzstan

OBJECTIVES: Cardiovascular disease accounts for 42% of male and 51% of female mortality within Europe. Kyrgyzstan, population of almost 6 million, has amongst the highest rates within Europe, second only to Uzbekistan for female cardiovascular disease mortality (588 per 100,000). We attempted to identify established cardiovascular disease prevalence within a rural community in Kyrgyzstan using portable echocardiography. DESIGN: Free open access echocardiography (VIVID-I, GE, USA) was offered to all adults in Batken district. Routine echocardiographic views were obtained and analysis performed using EchoPac Clinical Workstation (GE, USA). Mild valvular regurgitation, mild LV hypertrophy, patent foramen ovales and mild atrial enlargement were considered mild abnormalities; compensated ischaemic or valvular heart disease – moderate abnormalities, and decompensated congenital, ischaemic or valvular disease – severe abnormalities. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty five adults (48 male, 77 female), mean age 53 ± 16 years, underwent echocardiography. Only 16% of participants had no significant abnormality, 46% had mild disease, 25% moderate, compensated disease and 13% had severe disease. Nine percent had congenital heart disease including one tetralogy of Fallot and one Ebstein’s anomaly. Average LV function was normal, however, 19 participants had EF < 50%. Forty percent of participants had a new diagnosis warranting formal follow-up, 12% a new diagnosis of heart failure. CONCLUSION: Using portable echocardiography, we identify a higher than reported prevalence of cardiovascular disease in rural Kyrgyzstan. Absence of portable tools and specialists for early diagnosis might lead to presentation in an advanced stage of disease when little can be done to improve mortality. Embracing remote access diagnostics is essential for disease identification within rural communities.