[Coronary disease in black Africans].

Coronary artery disease remains rare (6% of all cardiovascular disease) in black Africa despite its progression in recent years. Infarcts in black Africans have similar characteristics to those seen in Western countries in patients aged under 40, notably regarding the frequency of infarcts as the first manifestation of the disease, the small number of stenoses and the incidence (18%) of patients with normal coronary arteriography (spasm? thrombosis?). Risk factors are the same as in Western countries, but the hemoglobin S or C trait could be a predisposing factor. The long-term outcome of infarcts is severe because of notable myocardial sequelae of imprecise origin: delayed hospitalisation and absence of thrombolysis? absence of angioplasty? socio-economic problems and lack of health education.