Research Article | | Peer-Reviewed

Factors Associated with Heart Failure with Reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Amongst Elderly Patients in Two Teaching Hospitals in Cameroon

Received: 24 November 2025     Accepted: 12 December 2025     Published: 29 December 2025
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Abstract

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a growing public health burden, particularly among elderly patients, in whom reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF) is associated with worse outcomes. Data on factors associated with HF with reduced Left Ventricle Ejection Fraction (LVEF) in sub-Saharan Africa are limited. This study aimed to identify factors associated with HF with LVEF < 50% among elderly patients in two teaching hospitals in Cameroon. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study supplemented with prospective data collection from November 2021 to April 2022 in the cardiology units of Yaoundé Central Hospital and Yaoundé General Hospital. Patients aged ≥65 years with HF were included. Data on demographics, comorbidities, geriatric syndromes, echocardiographic parameters, and cardiovascular risk factors were collected. Univariate logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with LVEF < 50%; multivariate analysis was not reliable due to sparse data. Our variables were statistically significant for p-values <0.05. Results: A total of 63 patients were included (mean age 75.0 ± 6.4 years; 66.7% female). Hypertension was the most common comorbidity (81.0%), and frailty was present in 42.9%. On univariate analysis, tachycardia (OR 7.1; 95% CI 1.9–25.8), cardiac conduction blocks (OR 3.7; 95% CI 1.2–11.3), and eccentric left ventricular hypertrophy (OR 7.0; 95% CI 2.3–21.5) were significantly associated with LVEF < 50%, whereas normal heart rate, concentric LVH, decreased inferior vena cava compliance, and diastolic dysfunction appeared protective. Multivariable analysis could not be reliably performed due to sparse data.

Published in Cardiology and Cardiovascular Research (Volume 9, Issue 4)
DOI 10.11648/j.ccr.20250904.20
Page(s) 179-184
Creative Commons

This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.

Copyright

Copyright © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Heart Failure, Elderly, Reduced Left Ventricle Ejection Fraction, Yaounde, Cameroon

References
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  • APA Style

    Amalia, O., Josiane, E. M., Pierre, M., Germain, N. O. E., Bill, L., et al. (2025). Factors Associated with Heart Failure with Reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Amongst Elderly Patients in Two Teaching Hospitals in Cameroon. Cardiology and Cardiovascular Research, 9(4), 179-184. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ccr.20250904.20

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    ACS Style

    Amalia, O.; Josiane, E. M.; Pierre, M.; Germain, N. O. E.; Bill, L., et al. Factors Associated with Heart Failure with Reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Amongst Elderly Patients in Two Teaching Hospitals in Cameroon. Cardiol. Cardiovasc. Res. 2025, 9(4), 179-184. doi: 10.11648/j.ccr.20250904.20

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    AMA Style

    Amalia O, Josiane EM, Pierre M, Germain NOE, Bill L, et al. Factors Associated with Heart Failure with Reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Amongst Elderly Patients in Two Teaching Hospitals in Cameroon. Cardiol Cardiovasc Res. 2025;9(4):179-184. doi: 10.11648/j.ccr.20250904.20

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  • @article{10.11648/j.ccr.20250904.20,
      author = {Owona Amalia and Ebode Marie Josiane and Mintom Pierre and Ngah Ondobo Emmanuel Germain and Lom Bill and Ebene Manon and Ndobo Valerie and Kuate Mfeukeu Liliane and Boombhi Jerome and Menanga Alain Patrick},
      title = {Factors Associated with Heart Failure with Reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Amongst Elderly Patients in Two Teaching Hospitals in Cameroon},
      journal = {Cardiology and Cardiovascular Research},
      volume = {9},
      number = {4},
      pages = {179-184},
      doi = {10.11648/j.ccr.20250904.20},
      url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ccr.20250904.20},
      eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ccr.20250904.20},
      abstract = {Background: Heart failure (HF) is a growing public health burden, particularly among elderly patients, in whom reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF) is associated with worse outcomes. Data on factors associated with HF with reduced Left Ventricle Ejection Fraction (LVEF) in sub-Saharan Africa are limited. This study aimed to identify factors associated with HF with LVEF p-values <0.05. Results: A total of 63 patients were included (mean age 75.0 ± 6.4 years; 66.7% female). Hypertension was the most common comorbidity (81.0%), and frailty was present in 42.9%. On univariate analysis, tachycardia (OR 7.1; 95% CI 1.9–25.8), cardiac conduction blocks (OR 3.7; 95% CI 1.2–11.3), and eccentric left ventricular hypertrophy (OR 7.0; 95% CI 2.3–21.5) were significantly associated with LVEF < 50%, whereas normal heart rate, concentric LVH, decreased inferior vena cava compliance, and diastolic dysfunction appeared protective. Multivariable analysis could not be reliably performed due to sparse data.},
     year = {2025}
    }
    

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  • TY  - JOUR
    T1  - Factors Associated with Heart Failure with Reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Amongst Elderly Patients in Two Teaching Hospitals in Cameroon
    AU  - Owona Amalia
    AU  - Ebode Marie Josiane
    AU  - Mintom Pierre
    AU  - Ngah Ondobo Emmanuel Germain
    AU  - Lom Bill
    AU  - Ebene Manon
    AU  - Ndobo Valerie
    AU  - Kuate Mfeukeu Liliane
    AU  - Boombhi Jerome
    AU  - Menanga Alain Patrick
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    DO  - 10.11648/j.ccr.20250904.20
    T2  - Cardiology and Cardiovascular Research
    JF  - Cardiology and Cardiovascular Research
    JO  - Cardiology and Cardiovascular Research
    SP  - 179
    EP  - 184
    PB  - Science Publishing Group
    SN  - 2578-8914
    UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ccr.20250904.20
    AB  - Background: Heart failure (HF) is a growing public health burden, particularly among elderly patients, in whom reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFrEF) is associated with worse outcomes. Data on factors associated with HF with reduced Left Ventricle Ejection Fraction (LVEF) in sub-Saharan Africa are limited. This study aimed to identify factors associated with HF with LVEF p-values <0.05. Results: A total of 63 patients were included (mean age 75.0 ± 6.4 years; 66.7% female). Hypertension was the most common comorbidity (81.0%), and frailty was present in 42.9%. On univariate analysis, tachycardia (OR 7.1; 95% CI 1.9–25.8), cardiac conduction blocks (OR 3.7; 95% CI 1.2–11.3), and eccentric left ventricular hypertrophy (OR 7.0; 95% CI 2.3–21.5) were significantly associated with LVEF < 50%, whereas normal heart rate, concentric LVH, decreased inferior vena cava compliance, and diastolic dysfunction appeared protective. Multivariable analysis could not be reliably performed due to sparse data.
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Author Information
  • Cardiology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Subspecialities, Yaounde General Hospital, Yaounde, Cameroon;Department of Internal Medicine and Subspecialities, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences of the University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon

  • Cardiology Unit,Yaounde Central Hospital, Yaounde, Cameroon;Department of Internal Medicine and Subspecialities, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences of the University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon

  • Cardiology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Subspecialities, Yaounde General Hospital, Yaounde, Cameroon;Department of Internal Medicine and Subspecialities, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences of the University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon

  • Department of Internal Medicine and Subspecialities, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences of the University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon

  • Department of Internal Medicine and Subspecialities, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences of the University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon

  • Cardiology Unit,Yaounde Central Hospital, Yaounde, Cameroon;Department of Internal Medicine and Subspecialities, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences of the University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon

  • Cardiology Unit,Yaounde Central Hospital, Yaounde, Cameroon;Department of Internal Medicine and Subspecialities, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences of the University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon

  • Cardiology Unit,Yaounde Central Hospital, Yaounde, Cameroon;Department of Internal Medicine and Subspecialities, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences of the University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon

  • Cardiology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Subspecialities, Yaounde General Hospital, Yaounde, Cameroon;Department of Internal Medicine and Subspecialities, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences of the University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon

  • Cardiology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine and Subspecialities, Yaounde General Hospital, Yaounde, Cameroon;Department of Internal Medicine and Subspecialities, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences of the University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon

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