Acute Dyspnea in the Emergency Medical Service in a Country with Limited Resources

Authors

  • Ango Privat Désiré Centre for Medicine and Specialities, Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Medical Sciences Training and Research Unit of Abidjan, Félix Houphouet Boigny University, Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
  • Mobio N'kan Michael Paterne Centre for Medicine and Specialities, Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Medical Sciences Training and Research Unit of Abidjan, Félix Houphouet Boigny University, Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
  • Kouamé Koffi Isidore Centre for Medicine and Specialities, Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Medical Sciences Training and Research Unit of Abidjan, Félix Houphouet Boigny University, Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
  • Coulibaly KT Centre for Medicine and Specialities, Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Medical Sciences Training and Research Unit of Abidjan, Félix Houphouet Boigny University, Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
  • Kouassi Konan Jean Centre for Medicine and Specialities, Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Medical Sciences Training and Research Unit of Abidjan, Félix Houphouet Boigny University, Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
  • Bédié Yao Vianney Centre for Medicine and Specialities, Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Medical Sciences Training and Research Unit of Abidjan, Félix Houphouet Boigny University, Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
  • Kouamé Antoine Centre for Medicine and Specialities, Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Medical Sciences Training and Research Unit of Abidjan, Félix Houphouet Boigny University, Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18502/aacc.v12i5.22434

Keywords:

Prognosis; Dyspnea; Emergency; Abidjan

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to identify the poor prognostic factors associated with acute dyspnea in medical emergencies.

Methods: A retrospective descriptive and analytical study conducted over a 12-month period (January 2022 to December 2022) in the medical emergency department of the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Treichville. All patients admitted to the medical emergency department for dyspnea during the study period were included.

Results: Prevalence was 7%. The mean age was 49 years, with a standard deviation of 16 years. The sex ratio was 1.08. Comorbidities were dominated by arterial hypertension (30.5%) and diabetes (14.7%). The majority of patients had NYHA stage 4 dyspnea (40%). Vital signs revealed arterial hypotension (45.5%), tachycardia (43.75%), tachypnea (66.9%), desaturation (52.2%), and disturbed consciousness (28.3%). The etiological diagnosis was dominated by bacterial pneumonia (35%), covid-19 pneumonia (22.4%), heart failure (21.7%), and pulmonary tuberculosis (13%). The mean time to therapeutic management was 3 hours and 23 minutes. Oxygen therapy was used in all patients. The average length of stay in the medical emergency department was 4 days ± 2 days. Mortality was 29% and was statistically associated with the existence of comorbidities (heart disease, arterial hypertension, tuberculosis, and diabetes), tachycardia (HR greater than 120 bpm), arterial hypotension (MAP less than 60 mmhg), tachypnea (respiratory rate greater than 30 cycles per minute), saturation less than 80%, and impaired consciousness (Glasgow score less than 14).

Conclusion: Dyspnea is responsible for a significant mortality rate. Several poor prognostic factors have been identified. Management of these factors could reduce mortality.

Published

2026-08-26

Issue

Volume (12) issue (5)

Section

Articles