Structural and Electrical Pattern of Acute Coronary Syndrome in Northwestern Nigeria: A Brief Report

Background: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a significant contributor to cardiovascular mortality in Nigeria. Data describing electrocardiographic and echocardiographic characteristics of ACS in Nigeria remain limited. This study describes the electrocardiography (ECG) and echocardiographic characteristics of ACS patients in a tertiary hospital in Northwestern Nigeria. Methods: A hospital-based observational study of 55 ACS patients was conducted. All participants underwent standard 12-lead ECG and transthoracic echocardiography. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 18.0. Results: The mean age was 60.5 ± 12.2 years, and 61.8% were male. ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) was the predominant ACS subtype (60%). Hypertension and dyslipidemia were the most common comorbidities. Among STEMI patients, anterior wall involvement was most frequent. Electrocardiographic abnormalities included left atrial enlargement (41.8%), left ventricular hypertrophy (36.4%), and arrhythmias (34.5%). Echocardiography revealed systolic dysfunction in 61.8%, diastolic dysfunction in 80%, and regional wall motion abnormalities in 89.1%. Conclusion: Nigerian ACS patients present with a high burden of electrical and structural abnormalities, alongside significant comorbidities. This underscores the need for early diagnostic assessment and aggressive management of underlying risk factors.