Endocarditis In Patients Research Articles

Abstract 15691: Permanent Pacemaker Implantation After Aortic Valve Surgery for Infective Endocarditis Was Associated With an Increased Risk of Heart Failure

Background Surgery for infective endocarditis (IE) is associated with a high risk of receiving a new permanent pacemaker. The clinical impact of permanent pacemaker implantation in these patients is unknown. Research question Does permanent pacemaker implantation after aortic valve surgery for IE affect long-term clinical outcomes? Aims To analyze the risk of mortality, heart failure hospitalization, and prosthetic valve endocarditis in patients who received a permanent pacemaker within 30 days of aortic valve surgery for IE. Methods: In this nationwide, population-based, observational cohort study based on the SWEDEHEART register, we included all patients who underwent primary aortic valve replacement for IE in Sweden from 1997 to 2022. Patients with a preoperative cardiac implantable electronic device were excluded. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were heart failure hospitalization and prosthetic valve endocarditis. Follow-up was complete. Inverse probability of treatment weighting was used to account for intergroup differences and flexible parametric models were used to estimate cause-specific hazards and cumulative incidences. Results: Among 2110 patients, 131 patients (6%) received a new permanent pacemaker, and 1979 patients (94%) did not. The mean age was 59 years, and 433 patients (21%) were female. During a mean follow-up time of 8.5 years (maximum 26 years), 873 patients (41%) died. The cumulative incidence of all-cause mortality and heart failure hospitalization at 20 years was 66% (95% CI 46%-79%) versus 61% (95% CI 58%-64%) and 45% (95% CI 33%-58%) versus 32% (95% CI 29%-34%) in the pacemaker versus the non-pacemaker group, respectively. After adjustment, there was no difference in the risk of mortality (HR 1.14, 95% CI: 0.82-1.59) or reinfection (HR 1.00, 95% CI 0.63-1.59), but the risk of heart failure was increased in the pacemaker group (HR 1.67, 95% CI: 1.11-2.52). Conclusion Permanent pacemaker implantation after aortic valve surgery for IE was associated with an increased risk of heart failure, but there was no difference in the risk of long-term mortality or prosthetic valve endocarditis. These results suggest that patients who receive a pacemaker after surgery for IE warrant careful observation.

Abstract 12736: Prevalence, Characteristics, and Outcomes of Infective Endocarditis in Patients With Liver Disease in the United States

Introduction: Infective endocarditis (IE) is common in patients with liver disease. Data regarding IE in liver disease are limited. Hypothesis: We analyzed IE admissions to determine inpatient outcomes among patients with liver disease in the United States. Methods: We used the 2017 National Readmission Database to identify index admission of adults with IE, based on the International Classification of Disease, 10th revision codes. The primary outcome was 30-day readmission. Secondary outcomes were mortality and predictors of hospitalization readmission. Results: We identified 40,413 IE admissions. Figure 1 presents prevalence of variables associated with liver disease in this cohort. Patients who were readmitted were more likely to have a history of hepatitis C virus (19.4% vs 12.3%, p < 0.001), hyponatremia (25% vs 21%, p < 0.001), and thrombocytopenia (20.3% vs 16.3%, p <0.001). After adjusting for age, hypertension, heart failure, diabetes mellitus, and end stage renal disease, hyponatremia (odds ratio (OR): 1.25; 95% confidence intervals [CI]: 1.17 to 1.35; p < 0.001) and thrombocytopenia (OR: 1.16; 95% CI: 1.08 to 1.24; p < 0.001) correlated with higher odds of 30-day readmission. Mortality was higher among patients with hyponatremia (29% vs 22%, p < 0.001), thrombocytopenia (29% vs 17%, p < 0.001), coagulopathy (12% vs 5%, p < 0.001), cirrhosis (6% vs 4%, p < 0.001), ascites (7% vs 3%, p <0.001), liver failure (18% vs 3%, p < 0.001), and portal hypertension (3% vs 1.5%, p < 0.001) (Figure 2). Conclusions: Important liver disease related variables correlate with higher risks of hospital readmission and mortality in patients with IE. Targeting such variables may improve outcomes in this patient population.

Abstract 11693: Comparison of In-Hospital Outcomes in Infective Endocarditis Patients With and Without Embolic Stroke

Introduction: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a critical condition that can lead to complications such as embolic stroke. This study aimed to compare the in-hospital outcomes between IE patients with and without embolic stroke. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis using the National Inpatient Sample database from 2016 to 2020. We identified admissions with a principal diagnosis of IE, with embolic stroke as a secondary diagnosis. In-hospital outcomes, including mortality, length of stay, and total charge, were analyzed after adjusting for patients' demographics, hospital characteristics, and chronic comorbidities, including heart failure, hypertension, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, smoking, and hyperlipidemia. Results: A total of 62,200 admissions with IE were identified, of which 4,460 (7.2%) developed embolic stroke, with females accounting for 38% of the cohort. Patients who developed embolic stroke had a significantly higher risk of mortality (OR: 2.4, 95% CI: 1.8-3.1, P=0.000), longer length of stay (18 days, Coefficient: 5.8, 95% CI: 4.6-7.0, P=0.000), and higher total charge (285,285, Coefficient: 121,586, 95% CI: 98,119-145,054, P=0.000). Conclusion: Our study found that IE patients who experienced embolic stroke had significantly worse outcomes, including higher mortality rates, prolonged length of stay, and increased financial burden. These findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions and close monitoring for this high-risk subgroup to improve patient outcomes and resource utilization.

Multidisciplinary Approach to the Management of a Patient with Right-Sided Infective Endocarditis on Maintenance Hemodialysis

Infective endocarditis in patients on maintenance hemodialysis occurs more often than in the population, manifests severe complications and is characterized by high mortality. The management of such patients requires the participation of several specialists. In the presented clinical observation, both typical characteristics of infective endocarditis on maintenance hemodialysis (staphylococcal etiology, association with vascular access devices, metabolic and hemodynamic risk factors) and peculiarities of a particular case (nature of nephropathy that led to maintenance hemodialysis, mechanism of right heart damage, which is uncommon for infective endocarditis on maintenance hemodialysis) are discussed in comparison with literature data. Interdisciplinary interaction of doctors of several specialties contributed to the choice of the right tactics and a favorable outcome of the disease.

Impact of heart failure and preoperative platelet count on the postoperative short-term outcome in infective endocarditis patients.

Heart failure (HF) and platelet count are often considered risk factors for mortality in patients with infective endocarditis (IE); however, their effects on various complications have not been elucidated. We speculated that HF and platelet count have significant impact on the short-term outcomes of IE. This single-center retrospective study analyzed data from 320 IE patients who underwent surgery. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify the risk factors for adverse outcomes. The effect of the platelet count on the prognosis of patients with HF was determined by subgroup analysis and Kaplan-Meier analysis. The study population was divided into the HF group (n = 102) and the non-HF group (n = 218). The median age of the total population was 44.5 years (31-56 years), of which 227 (70.94%) patients were male. The incidence rates of 1-year all-cause mortality, cardiac outcomes, and composite outcomes were respectively almost sixfold, fourfold, and threefold higher in the HF group than in the non-HF group (all p < 0.001). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, HF was an independent risk factor for 1-year all-cause mortality, cardiac outcomes, cerebral outcomes, and composite outcomes. The Kaplan-Meier survival curves revealed that the patients with both HF and thrombocytopenia demonstrated the worst composite outcomes than the patients of the other groups (log-rank p < 0.001). In the HF group, the platelet count was significantly associated with mortality and composite outcomes. HF and preoperative platelet count are significantly associated with 1-year all-cause mortality and adverse outcomes postoperatively in IE patients. Patients with HF and thrombocytopenia have the worst short-term prognosis.

Detection rate of brain MR and MR angiography for neuroimaging abnormality in patients with newly diagnosed left-sided infective endocarditis

We aimed to investigate the detection rate of brain MR and MR angiography for neuroimaging abnormality in newly diagnosed left-sided infective endocarditis patients with/without neurological symptoms. This retrospective study included consecutive patients with definite or possible left-sided infective endocarditis according to the modified Duke criteria who underwent brain MRI and MR angiography between March 2015 and October 2020. The detection rate for neuroimaging abnormality on MRI was defined as the number of patients with positive brain MRI findings divided by the number of patients with left-sided infective endocarditis. Positive imaging findings included acute ischemic lesions, cerebral microbleeds, hemorrhagic lesions, and infectious aneurysms. In addition, aneurysm rupture rate and median period to aneurysm rupture were evaluated on follow-up studies. A total 115 patients (mean age: 55 years ± 19; 65 men) were included. The detection rate for neuroimaging abnormality was 77% (89/115). The detection rate in patients without neurological symptoms was 70% (56/80). Acute ischemic lesions, cerebral microbleeds, and hemorrhagic lesions including superficial siderosis and intracranial hemorrhage were detected on MRI in 56% (64/115), 57% (66/115), and 20% (23/115) of patients, respectively. In particular, infectious aneurysms were detected on MR angiography in 3% of patients (4/115), but MR angiography in 5 patients (4.3%) was insignificant for infectious aneurysm, which were detected using CT angiography (n = 3) and digital subtraction angiography (n = 2) during follow-up. Among the 9 infectious aneurysm patients, aneurysm rupture occurred in 4 (44%), with a median period of aneurysm rupture of 5 days. The detection rate of brain MRI for neuroimaging abnormality in newly diagnosed left-sided infective endocarditis patients was high (77%), even without neurological symptoms (70%).

Genome sequence of Coxiella burnetii KZQ2 isolated from a clinical strain in the Republic of Korea.

The genome of Coxiella burnetii KZQ2, isolated from clinical patients in Korea, is 2.04 MB long. Multispacer types were ST77, and phylogenetic tree analysis showed that KZQ2 is closely related to the CbuK_Q154 chronic strain isolated from human endocarditis patients in the USA.

Outcomes of Endocarditis in Pregnancy: A Single-Center Experience.

The incidence of infective endocarditis (IE) in pregnancy is rare (0.006%), with increasing prevalence during the opioid epidemic. IE in pregnancy is associated with high rates of mortality and morbidity, and existing data on outcomes in pregnancy are limited. Our study compares the outcomes of pregnant patients with IE with those of nonpregnant patients. Patients diagnosed with IE during pregnancy and 30 days postpartum between 2014 and 2021 were identified by International Classification of Diseases, Clinical Modification, Ninth and Tenth Edition codes. Pregnant cases were matched to nonpregnant reproductive-age endocarditis patients in a 1:4 ratio. Data were collected and validated through chart review. One hundred eighty patients with IE were identified; 34 were pregnant or within 30 days postpartum at diagnosis. There were higher rates of hepatitis C and opioid maintenance therapy in the pregnant patients. The etiology of IE in pregnant patients was predominantly S. aureus (methicillin-resistant/sensitive S. aureus), whereas nonpregnant woman had greater microbiological variation. We observed comparable rates of valve replacement (32.4% vs 29%; P = .84) and 2-year mortality (20.6% vs 17.8%; P > .99) in pregnant patients. There were nonsignificantly higher rates of pulmonary emboli (17.6% vs 7.5%; P = .098) and arrhythmia (17.6% vs 9.6%; P = .222) among pregnant patients. There were high rates of intravenous drug use relapse in both groups (>40%). We observed similar rates of mortality in the pregnant IE patients. We observed a microbial predilection for S. aureus in pregnancy, suggesting that the pregnancy physiology may select for this microbiologic etiology. This study, which represents the largest single-center retrospective review of IE in pregnancy, suggests that surgical intervention may be performed safely in the postpartum period.

Prevention of Postoperative Atrioventricular Block in a Case of Progressive Infective Endocarditis with Reconstruction of the Interventricular Fibrous Body: A Case Report

Background: The risk of the post-operative severe atrioventricular block is high when infective endocarditis spreads to the conduction system. However, a clear surgical method to prevent post-operative severe atrioventricular block in infective endocarditis patients has not been developed. Case presentation: A 39-year-old man with a persistent fever was referred to our hospital. Echocardiography showed mitral valve infective endocarditis with severe aortic regurgitation due to a congenital bicuspid aortic valve. Before the surgery, a paroxysmal atrioventricular block appeared. Intraoperative inspection revealed an aortic-root abscess with ulcerated lesions below the commissure of the noncoronary-right coronary cusps and perforation of the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve. Considering the risk of atrioventricular block, the ulcerated lesions were only cleared with saline solution. After replacing the mitral valve with a mechanical mitral valve, the interventricular fibrous body and aortic annulus were reconstructed with a bovine pericardial patch. The mechanical aortic valve was sutured to the reconstructed aortic annulus. Two years after the surgery, severe atrioventricular block did not occur. Conclusion: Our method may be effective when the risk of post-operative severe atrioventricular block is high and the patient’s prognosis worsens.

Surgical management of infective endocarditis: an analysis of early and 1 year result in native valve patients at vietnam heart institute from 2018 to 2019

Background: about 50% of infective endocarditis patients require surgery, but mortality and complications rates are still high, both the immediate postoperative period and 1 year follow-up.&#x0D; Study: To find out the early (first 30 days) and up to 1 year mortality and complication rates in native valve infective endocarditis patients after surgery. [1]&#x0D; Subjects and methods: 66 native valve infective endocarditis patients were operated at the Vietnam Heart Institute- Bach Mai Hospital, followed up to 1 year after surgery.&#x0D; Methods: longitudinal follow-up retrospective, cross-sectional observational study.&#x0D; Results: The mortality rate in the first 30 days was 9.1%, the additional mortality rate after 1 year was 1.7%, the cumulative mortality rate up to 1 year after surgery was 10.6. %, the survival rate was 89.4%. IE recurrence rate was 1.5%. The most common complications in the early postoperative period: renal failure (9.1%) and pleural effusion (9.1%), pneumonia (6.1%) cerebrovascular accident (3%) and atrioventricular block (1.5%). Follow- up to 1 year, 33.3% of patients had to be re-hospitalized due to cardiovascular events.

Microbiological and echocardiography characteristics in the prosthetic valve endocarditis patients

Objectives: The goal of the study was description the status of describe microbiological and cardiac injury characteristics through echocardiographic images in prosthetic valve endocarditis patients.&#x0D; Methods &amp; Results: Cross-sectional description of 64 prosthetic valve endocarditis patients at Hanoi Heart Hospital and Cardiology Institute - Bach Mai Hospital from June 2016 to August 2018. Aged 54.01±17.25 (18-84) years old, (60.9% male). Bacterial endocarditis was found in 50% of cases, the most common causative pathogens were Gr(+) bacteria 81.25% (26/32), Gr(-) bacteria 18.75%, multi drug resistant 22.73%. The results of antibiogram showed that Staphylococcus aureus and the group of Gr (-) bacteria had the highest antibiotic resistance. Echocardiographic characteristics of infective endocarditis mitral valve 57.8%, aortic valve 34.4%, in many valve sites very few (3.1%). Biological aortic valve (27.6%) lower than mechanical aortic valve (63.6%). The aortic valve had multiple vegetations (45.65%), size of vegetations was 11.3±4.26 (mm), periprosthetic aortic abscess and dehiscence at the lateral annulus (17.39%). Biological mitral valve (48.7%), mechanical mitral valve (51.3%). Mitral valve had multiple vegetations (60.66%), size of vegetations was 8.99±5.6 (mm), prosthetic valve with dehiscence at the lateral annulus (11.48%). Early infectious endocarditis postop was characterized by heart failure, reoperation and mortality higher than lated infective endocarditis (p&gt;0.05).&#x0D; Conclusions: The half of prosthetic valve endocarditis had bacterial evidence, common causative pathogens were Gram positives. Multi drug resistant due to staphylococcus aureus and Gram negatives. Prosthetic mitral valve endocarditis had the highest rate, followed by prosthetic aortic valve, endocarditis lesions in many valve sites were few. The Characteristics of prosthetic aortic valve werre periprosthetic aortic abscess and dehiscence at the lateral annulus, the mitral valve had multiple vegetations.

Outcomes of Concomitant Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting in Patients With Infective Endocarditis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

It is current practice to perform concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients with infective endocarditis who have relevant coronary artery disease. However, CABG may add complexity to the operation. We performed a systematic review and a meta-analysis of studies that presented outcomes from patients who underwent valve surgery because of infective endocarditis with or without concomitant CABG. Three databases were assessed. Perioperative mortality was the primary outcome. Long-term mortality and postoperative stroke were the secondary outcomes. Inverse variance method and random model were performed. Five studies with a total of 5,408 patients were included. Mean follow-up was 8.2years. Just 1 study addressed exclusively patients with documented coronary artery disease. Perioperative mortality did not differ between patients with or without concomitant CABG (odds ratio 1.53, 95% confidence interval 0.52 to 4.48, p=0.44). Long-term mortality did not differ between patients who received and those who did not receive concomitant CABG (odds ratio 1.79, confidence interval 0.88 to 3.65, p=0.11). Only 1 study from a multicenter registry reported data on the occurrence of postoperative stroke, which demonstrated that its incidence after adjustment was 26% in patients with concomitant CABG versus 21% in patients without concomitant CABG (p=0.003). The results suggest that in endocarditis patients, adding CABG to valve surgery does not affect perioperative or long-term mortality. Data available on the impact of concomitant CABG on neurologic outcomes are limited to a retrospective multicenter registry and suggest that concomitant CABG may be associated with higher postoperative stroke.

Hemoadsorption Using CytoSorb® in Patients with Infective Endocarditis: A German-Based Budget Impact Analysis.

A considerable number of infective endocarditis (IE) patients require cardiac surgery with an increased risk for postoperative sepsis. Intraoperative hemoadsorption may diminish the risk of postoperative hyperinflammation with potential economic implications for intensive care unit (ICU) occupation. The present study aimed to theoretically investigate the budget impact of a reduced length of ICU stay in IE patients treated with intraoperative hemoadsorption in the German healthcare system. Data on ICU occupation were extrapolated from a retrospective study on IE patients treated with hemoadsorption. An Excel-based budget impact model was developed to simulate the patient course over the ICU stay. A base-case scenario without therapy reimbursement and a scenario with full therapy reimbursement were explored. The annual eligible German IE patient population was derived from official German Diagnostic-Related Group (DRG) volume data. One-way deterministic sensitivity analysis and multivariate analysis were performed to evaluate the uncertainty over the model results. The use of intraoperative hemoadsorption resulted in EUR 2298 being saved per patient in the base-case scenario without therapy reimbursement. The savings increased to EUR 3804 per patient in the case of full device-specific reimbursement. Deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of savings, with a probability of savings of 87% and 99% in the base-case and full reimbursement scenario, respectively. Intraoperative hemoadsorption in IE patients might have relevant economic benefits related to reduced ICU stays, resulting in improved resource use. Further evaluations in larger prospective cohorts are warranted.

A possible &lt;em&gt;Sphingomonas paucimobilis&lt;/em&gt; endocarditis in a haemodialysed patient: A case report

Sphingomonas paucimobilis is widely distributed in the environment and causes occasional human infections, most often in immunocompromised individuals. Reports of unusual invasive and severe infections include septic arthritis, osteomyelitis, respiratory tract infections in patients with cystic fibrosis and necrotising soft tissue infections. There are only few reported cases of endocarditis in the international literature. There are no published cases in Sri Lanka.We describe a possible case of Sphingomonas paucimobilis endocarditis. A 58 year old male patient presented with reduced responsiveness following haemodialysis. All three blood cultures taken on admission were positive for Sphingomonas paucimobilis. His echocardiography could not exclude endocarditis. He was treated with appropriate antibiotics but unfortunately expired due to septic shock following aspiration pneumonia. This case demonstrates that organisms of low virulence could cause endocarditis in patients with end stage renal disease. It also indicates that such patients are relatively asymptomatic or have few symptoms compared to patients with normal immunity.

Contemporary Clinical Profile of Left-Sided Native Valve Infective Endocarditis: Influence of the Causative Microorganism.

Studies focused on the clinical profile of native valve endocarditis are scarce and outdated. In addition, none of them analyzed differences depending on the causative microorganism. Our objectives are to describe the clinical profile at admission of patients with left-sided native valve infective endocarditis in a contemporary wide series of patients and to compare them among the most frequent etiologies. To do so, we conducted a prospective, observational cohort study including 569 patients with native left-sided endocarditis enrolled from 2006 to 2019. We describe the modes of presentation and the symptoms and signs at admission of these patients and compare them among the five more frequent microbiological etiologies. Coagulase-negative Staphylococci and Enterococci endocarditis patients were the oldest (71 ± 11 years), and episodes caused by Streptococci viridans were less frequently nosocomial (4%). The neurologic, cutaneous or renal modes of presentation were more typical in Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis (28%, p = 0.002), the wasting syndrome of Streptococcus viridans (49%, p < 0.001), and the cardiac in Coagulase-negative Staphylococci, Enterococci and unidentified microorganism endocarditis (45%, 49% and 56%, p < 0.001). The clinical signs agreed with the mode of presentation. In conclusion, the modes of presentation and the clinical picture at admission were tightly associated with the causative microorganism in patients with left-sided native valve endocarditis.

Cardiac device-related infective endocarditis need for lead extraction whatever the device according to the ESC EORP EURO-ENDO registry.

Cardiac device-related infective endocarditis (CDRIE) is a severe complication of cardiac device (CD) implantation and is usually treated by antibiotic therapy and percutaneous device extraction. Few studies report the management and prognosis of CDRIE in real life. In particular, the rate of device extraction in clinical practice and the management of patients with left heart infective endocarditis (LHIE) and an apparently non-infected CD (LHIE+CDRIE-) are not well described. We sought to study in EURO-ENDO, the characteristics, prognosis, and management of 483 patients with a CD included in the European Society of Cardiology EurObservational Research Programme EURO-ENDO registry. Three populations were compared: 280 isolated CDRIE (66.7 ± 14.3 years), 157 patients with LHIE and an apparently non-infected CD (LHIE+CDRIE-) (71.1 ± 13.6), and 46 patients with both LHIE and CDRIE (LHIE+CDRIE+) (70.2 ± 10.1). Echocardiography was not always transoesophageal echography (TOE); it was transthoracic echography (TTE) for isolated CDRIE in 88.4% (TOE = 67.6%), for LHIE+CDRIE- TTE = 93.0% (TOE = 58.6%), and for CDRIE+LHIE+ TTE = 87.0% (TOE = 63.0%). Nuclear imaging was performed in 135 patients (positive for 75.6%). In-hospital mortality was lower in isolated CDRIE 13.2% vs. 22.3% and 30.4% for LHIE+CDRIE- and LHIE+CDRIE+ (P = 0004). Device extraction was performed in 62.1% patients with isolated CDRIE, 10.2% of LHIE+CDRIE- patients, and 45.7% of CDRIE+LHIE+ patients. Device extraction was associated with a better prognosis [hazard ratio 0.59 (0.40-0.87), P = 0.0068] even in the LHIE+CDRIE- group (P = 0.047). Prognosis of endocarditis in patients with a CD remains poor, particularly in the presence of an associated LHIE. Although recommended by guidelines, device extraction is not always performed. Device removal was associated with better prognosis, even in the LHIE+CDRIE- group.

Risk factors for infective endocarditis in patients receiving hemodialysis: A propensity score matched cohort study.

In patients receiving hemodialysis, infective endocarditis (IE) may present in a similar way to other causes of bacteremia, which may delay early diagnosis and can lead to worse outcomes. In this study, we aimed to identify the risk factors for IE in hemodialysis patients with bacteremia. This study was conducted on all patients diagnosed with IE and receiving hemodialysis between 2005 and 2018 in Salford Royal Hospital. Patients with IE were propensity score matched with similar hemodialysis patients with episodes of bacteremia between 2011 and 2015 (non-IE bacteremic (NIEB)). Logistic regression analysis was used to predict the risk factors associated with infective endocarditis. There were 35 cases of IE, and these were propensity matched with 70 NIEB cases. The median age of the patients was 65 years with a predominance of males (60%). The IE group had higher peak C-reactive protein compared to the NIEB group (median, 253 mg/L vs. 152, p = 0.001). Patients with IE had a longer duration of prior dialysis catheter use than NIEB patients (150 vs. 28.5 days: p = 0.004). IE patients had a much higher 30-day mortality rate (37.1% vs. 17.1%, p = 0.023). Logistic regression analysis showed previous valvular heart disease (OR: 29.7; p < 0.001), and a higher baseline C-reactive protein (OR: 1.01; p = 0.001) as significant predictors for infective endocarditis. Bacteremia in patients receiving hemodialysis through a catheter access should be actively investigated with a high index of suspicion for infective endocarditis, particularly in those with known valvular heart disease and a higher baseline C-reactive protein.

Risk and Outcome of Infective Endocarditis in Streptococcal Bloodstream Infections according to Streptococcal Species.

This study aimed to identify which streptococcal species are closely associated with infective endocarditis (IE) and to evaluate risk factors for mortality in patients with streptococcal IE. We performed a retrospective cohort study of all patients with streptococcal bloodstream infection (BSI) from January 2010 to June 2020 in a tertiary hospital in South Korea. We compared clinical and microbiological characteristics of streptococcal BSIs according to the diagnosis of IE. We performed multivariate analysis to evaluate the risk of IE according to streptococcal species and risk factors for mortality in streptococcal IE. A total of 2,737 patients were identified during the study period, and 174 (6.4%) were diagnosed with IE. The highest IE prevalence was in patients with Streptococcus mutans BSI (33% [9/27]) followed by S. sanguinis (31% [20/64]), S. gordonii (23% [5/22]), S. gallolyticus (16% [12/77]), and S. oralis (12% [14/115]). In multivariate analysis, previous IE, high-grade BSI, native valve disease, prosthetic valve, congenital heart disease, and community-onset BSI were independent risk factors for IE. After adjusting for these factors, S. sanguinis (adjusted OR [aOR], 7.75), S. mutans (aOR, 5.50), and S. gallolyticus (aOR, 2.57) were significantly associated with higher risk of IE, whereas S. pneumoniae (aOR, 0.23) and S. constellatus (aOR, 0.37) were associated with lower risk of IE. Age, hospital-acquired BSI, ischemic heart disease, and chronic kidney disease were independent risk factors for mortality in streptococcal IE. Our study points to significant differences in the prevalence of IE in streptococcal BSI according to species. IMPORTANCE Our study of risk of infective endocarditis in patients with streptococcal bloodstream infection demonstrated that Streptococcus sanguinis, S. mutans, and S. gallolyticus were significantly associated with higher risk of infective endocarditis. However, when we evaluated the performance of echocardiography in patients with streptococcal bloodstream infection, patients with S. mutans and S. gordonii bloodstream infection had a tendency of low performance in echocardiography. There are significant differences in the prevalence of infective endocarditis in streptococcal bloodstream infection according to species. Therefore, performing echocardiography in streptococcal bloodstream infection with a high prevalence of, and significant association with, infective endocarditis is desirable.

Use of the Perceval Sutureless Valve for Pulmonary Valve Replacement in Endocarditis: A Case Series

Perceval valves are sutureless bioprostheses designed for aortic valve replacement (AVR). We present the first known cases of successful implantation of the Perceval valve in the pulmonary position in high-risk endocarditis patients.

Clinical Significance of a 16S-rDNA Analysis of Heart Valves in Patients with Infective Endocarditis: a Retrospective Study.

A substantial proportion of patients with infective endocarditis (IE) are subjected to heart valve surgery. Microbiological findings on valves are important both for diagnostics and for tailored antibiotic therapy, post-operatively. The aims of this study were to describe microbiological findings on surgically removed valves and to examine the diagnostic benefits of 16S-rDNA PCR and sequencing (16S-analysis). Adult patients who were subjected to heart valve surgery for IE between 2012 and 2021 at Skåne University Hospital, Lund, where a 16S-analysis had been performed on the valve, constituted the study population. Data were gathered from medical records, and the results from blood cultures, valve cultures, and 16S-analyses of valves were compared. A diagnostic benefit was defined as providing an agent in blood culture negative endocarditis, providing a new agent in episodes with positive blood cultures, or confirming one of the findings in episodes with a discrepancy between blood and valve cultures. 279 episodes in 272 patients were included in the final analysis. Blood cultures were positive in 259 episodes (94%), valve cultures in 60 episodes (22%), and 16S-analyses in 227 episodes (81%). Concordance between the blood cultures and the 16S-analysis was found in 214 episodes (77%). The 16S-analyses provided a diagnostic benefit in 25 (9.0%) of the episodes. In blood culture negative endocarditis, the 16S-analyses had a diagnostic benefit in 15 (75%) of the episodes. A 16S-analysis should be routinely performed on surgically removed valves in blood culture negative endocarditis. In patients with positive blood cultures, 16S-analysis may also be considered, as a diagnostic benefit was provided in some patients. IMPORTANCE This work demonstrates that it can be of importance to perform both cultures and analysis using 16S-rDNA PCR and sequencing of valves excised from patients undergoing surgery for infective endocarditis. 16S-analysis may help both to establish a microbiological etiology in cases of blood culture negative endocarditis and to provide help in situations where there are discrepancies between valve and blood cultures. In addition, our results show a high degree of concordance between blood cultures and 16S-analyses, indicating that the latter has a high sensitivity and specificity for the etiological diagnosis of endocarditis in patients who were subjected to heart valve surgery.