{"id":5737,"date":"2026-10-02T15:29:39","date_gmt":"2026-10-02T13:29:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cvja.co.za\/journal\/?p=5737"},"modified":"2026-10-02T15:29:39","modified_gmt":"2026-10-02T13:29:39","slug":"cvja-2026-043","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cvja.co.za\/journal\/cvja-2026-043\/","title":{"rendered":"Expanding interventional cardiology in sub-Saharan Africa: Progress, barriers, and a path forward"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\r\n \r\n \r\nSammer Marzouk, Ketan Tamirisa, Faraan Rahim, Yaman Kanaan, Erick Mahatara, Peter Kisenge, Khuzeima Khanbhai\r\n<\/div> \r\n<\/div> \r\n
\r\n Copyright:<\/strong> Clinics Cardive Publishing (Pty) Ltd. publisher\r\n of Cardiovascular Journal of Africa.<\/div>\r\n
<\/div> \r\n
\r\n
\r\n Abstract \r\n <\/div> \r\n \r\n
\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n\r\nCardiovascular disease is an increasingly significant cause of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, driven by demographic growth, population ageing, and epidemiological transition. Despite the growing burden of ischaemic heart disease and other cardiovascular conditions, access to interventional cardiology services remains severely limited across the region. Critical shortages of percutaneous coronary intervention facilities, catheterisation laboratories, and trained interventional cardiologists contribute to delayed treatment and preventable mortality. Additional barriers include high infrastructure and equipment costs, limited financing mechanisms, inadequate insurance coverage, workforce shortages, and geographic inequities in access to care. Nevertheless, emerging programs in Uganda, Kenya, and Ethiopia demonstrate that sustainable progress is achievable through strategic partnerships, local workforce development, public-private collaboration, and regional professional networks. Expanding interventional cardiology capacity will require coordinated investments in infrastructure, training, financing, referral systems, and policy prioritisation. Strengthening these systems is essential to achieving equitable cardiovascular care and improving outcomes across sub-Saharan Africa.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n <\/div> \r\n <\/div> \r\n \r\n \r\n
\r\n \r\n Keywords:<\/strong> \r\n \r\n sub-Saharan Africa, cardiovascular disease, interventional cardiology, workforce development<\/strong> \r\n \r\n <\/div> \r\n \r\n
\r\n \r\n Submitted:<\/strong> June 9, 2026; \r\n Accepted:<\/strong> July 13, 2026; \r\n Published:<\/strong> October 2, 2026
\r\n Cardiovasc J Afr 2025; 37<\/b>: 416-419<\/em>\r\n
Volume 37, Issue 4<\/strong>
\r\n <\/div> \r\n \r\n
\r\n DOI Citation Reference: dx.doi.org\/10.5830\/CVJA-2026-043 \r\n <\/div> \r\n \r\n
\r\n \r\n\r\nMedical Scientist Training Program, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.\r\n\r\n<\/strong>
\r\nSammer Marzouk\r\n

\r\n\r\nWashington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.\r\n<\/strong>
\r\nKetan Tamirisa\r\n

\r\n\r\nHarvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.\r\n\r\n<\/strong>
\r\nFaraan Rahim\r\n

\r\n\r\nOakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA.\r\n\r\n<\/strong>
\r\nYaman Kanaan\r\n

\r\n\r\nSchool of Medicine, KCMC University, Moshi, Tanzania.\r\n\r\n<\/strong>
\r\nErick Mahatara\r\n

\r\n\r\nJakaya Kikwete Cardiac Institute, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.\r\n\r\n<\/strong>
\r\nPeter Kisenge\r\n

\r\n\r\nNSK Lumumba Hospital, Zanzibar, Tanzania.\r\n\r\n<\/strong>
\r\nKhuzeima Khanbhai\r\n

\r\n\r\n\r\n [soshsc hide=\"logged\"]\r\n \r\n You need to be logged in to view and download<\/a> the full text PDF version. Register for a free account?<\/a><\/strong>

[\/soshsc]\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n <\/div>\r\n \r\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta is most frequently caused by rapid deceleration during road traffic accidents, with the aortic isthmus representing the most common site of injury. Isolated post-traumatic distal aortic haematomas remain rare. 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