Evaluation of Cardiovascular Morbidity in Nigerian Women after 3 Years of Norplant® Contraception

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine any cardiovascular morbidity with Norplant® use by electrocardiography. Thirty Nigerian women seeking long-term reversible contraception were recruited. The clients had baseline blood pressure checks and electrocardiography (ECG) tracings. These were repeated at the 12, 24 and 36 months follow-up visits and the results were analysed. The mean age of subjects was 32.4± 3.98 years. The mean weight at pre-insertion and at the 12, 24 and 36 months follow-up visits showed a statistically significant rise after 2 years (p<0.01). The blood pressures did not show any significant changes throughout the period of study. There was statistically significant prolongation of the PR and QRS intervals at the 12 month visit; mean PR interval (seconds) pre-insertion 0.153± 0.003, and at 12 months 0.173±0.006 (P=0.019), mean QRS interval (seconds) pre-insertion 0.056±0.003 and at 12 months 0.074±0.002 (P=0.005). After 3 years of Norplant use, prolongation of the mean QRS interval remained evident (p=0.011) while mean PR interval had returned to pre-insertion levels. There is a tendency to prolongation of PR and QRS (ECG) intervals in Norplant users; accordingly, it may be prudent for clients with cardiac conditions showing longer ECG intervals, to consider alternative methods of contraception.