Laurence Carole Ngo Yon, Hermann Nestor Tsague Kengni, Godwin Sharau, Deogratias Nkya, Stella Mongella, Flora Fondjo, Alex Loth, Vivienne Mlawi, Salvatore Agati
University of Yaounde I. Yaounde General Hospital. Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute. Catholic University of Central Africa. San Vincenzo Hospital in Taormina.
Cameroon, Tanzania and Italy
PanAfrican Medical Journal
Pan Afr Med J 2026; 53:
DOI: 10.11604/pamj.2026.53.21.49748
Abstract
Complex congenital heart diseases, such as common arterial trunk (CAT) and aortopulmonary window (APW) with interrupted aortic arch (IAA), present challenges in low-resource settings where technical limitations restrict surgical care. We describe three cases referred from Cameroon and treated at the Jakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute (JKCI) in Tanzania through authentic South-South cooperation with the purpose of describing clinical, anatomical, and surgical aspects of these patients, and assessing this collaborative model. The patients, aged 7 months to 3 years, included two CATs and one APW with an interrupted aortic arch, all complicated by severe pulmonary hypertension. Multidisciplinary management allowed for surgical repair in two of the cases, but one child died intraoperatively despite intensive intervention, while the third was deemed inoperable and remained on medical management. These cases are illustrative of the viability and benefits of South-South cooperation, of the role of multidisciplinary care and building capacity locally for improved outcomes.
Category
Class I. Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Congenital Cardiovascular Disease
Age Focus: Pediatric Pulmonary Vascular Disease
Fresh or Filed Publication: Fresh (PHresh). Less than 1-2 years since publication
Article Access
Free PDF File or Full Text Article Available Through PubMed or DOI: Yes