Prosthetic Infective Endocarditis Research Articles

Injection Drug Use Endocarditis: An Inner-City Hospital Experience

BackgroundThere has been a rise in the incidence of injection drug use and associated infective endocarditis. MethodsThe clinical outcomes of 39 patients admitted with injection drug use–associated infective endocarditis were collected with a mean follow-up of 14 months. The outcomes were compared for patients treated medically with those undergoing surgical intervention. Results: The mean age was 39 ± 11 years; 54% were female. Thirty-two patients (82%) had native and 7 (18%) prosthetic infective endocarditis. The tricuspid valve was affected in 17 patients (43%), the mitral in 10 (26%), the aortic in 4 (10%), and multiple valves in 8 (20%). Sixteen (41%) patients underwent surgery, and 23 (59%) were treated with medical therapy. The indications for surgery included heart failure, systemic emboli, recurrent infection, and vegetation size ≥10 mm. Patients undergoing surgery had a higher rate of paravalvular abscess (25% vs 0%, P = 0.02), valve perforation (37% vs 11%, P = 0.04), and mitral valve involvement (44% vs 13%, P = 0.06), whereas medically treated patients had higher tricuspid valve involvement (61% vs 19%, P = 0.02). During follow-up, 26% of medical and 31% of surgical cohort patients died (P = 0.7). Mortality was highest (54%) among those who continued medical management despite an indication for surgery. Univariate predictors of mortality were age (odds ratio [OR] 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.17; P = 0.02), heart failure (OR 6.9; 95% CI: 1.24-37.49; P = 0.02), septicemia (OR 4.40; 95% CI:0.99-19.54; P = 0.05), and shock (OR 10.8; 95% CI: 1.68-69.92; P = 0.01). ConclusionsDespite contemporary therapy, patients with injection drug use–associated infective endocarditis remain at high risk of complications and poor clinical outcomes. These findings highlight the need for developing new care pathways and a team approach for effective management.

Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) service is associated with inpatient-bed cost savings

In a cardiology department, there are some patients that require long-term antibiotics, such as those with infective endocarditis or infected prosthetic devices. We describe our experience with intravenous antibiotic therapy for patients with cardiology diagnoses who require a period of antibiotics in our outpatient service during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 15 patients were selected to have outpatient antibiotic therapy (age range 36 to 97 years, 60% male). A total of nine patients had infective endocarditis, four patients had infected valve prosthesis or transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) endocarditis, one patient had infected pericardial effusion while another had infected pericarditis. For these 15 patients there was a total of 333 hospital bed-days, on average 22 days per patient. These patients also had a total of 312 days of outpatient antibiotic therapy, which was an average of 21 days per patient. The total cost, if patients were admitted for those days, assuming a night cost £400, was £124,800, which was on average £8,320 per patient. Three patients were readmitted within 30 days. One had ongoing endocarditis that was managed medically and another had pulmonary embolism. The last patient had a side effect related to daptomycin use. In conclusion, outpatient antibiotic therapy in selected patients with native or prosthetic infective endocarditis appears to be safe for a selected group of patients with associated cost savings.

Clinical features and predictive factors of in-hospital mortality in infective endocarditis

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a severe infection with high in-hospital mortality rate. Identification of patients at high risk of death may improve their outcomes. We aim to determine clinical features and predictive factors of intra hospital mortality in patients with IE. Retrospective single-center study including patients with IE admitted during 17 years (1998–2015) in Cardiology B department of Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital. Diagnosis of IE was made according to the modified Duke classification. A Total of 235 patients were included, 56.3% were male. Mea age was 36 ± 17 years. Forty-three percent of them had previous valvular heart disease. Prosthetic IE occurred in 25.1%. Mitral valve was the most affected by infection. In-hospital mortality rate was 18.3% (43 patients). Dead patients presented significatively more heart failure at admission (53.5% vs. 25.7%, P < 0.001), peripheral embolization (32.6% vs. 5.7%, P = 0.012), major cerebro-vascular events such as hemorrhagic stroke (16.3% vs. 3.7%, P = 0.002), mycotic cerebral aneurysm (14% vs. 4.2%, P = 0.02) and cerebral abcess (7% vs. 0.5%, P = 0.017). In multivaraite analysis, predictive factors of in-hospital death were heart failure at admission (OR = 3.8, 95% CI: 1.8–7.9, P < 0.001), embolic events (OR = 2.28, 95% CI: 1.01–5.2, P = 0.02) and hemorrhagic stroke (OR = 6.06, 95% CI: 1.8–19.5, P = 0.017). IE remains awful disease with high mortality rate. The risk factors of in-hospital death were heart failure, embolic events and hemorrhagic stroke.

Early Outcomes of Isolated Aortic Valve Replacement Through Right Anterior Minithoracotomy Using the Latest-Generation Biological Prosthesis.

The aim of this study is to evaluate early and intermediate outcomes and hemodynamics of the latest-generation Trifecta valve implanted using right anterior minithoracotomy. We performed a single-center, retrospective, observational study including 175 individuals who underwent isolated minimally invasive aortic valve replacement with the latest-generation Trifecta valves through a right anterior minithoracotomy between January 2016 and January 2019. Exclusion criteria for follow-up echocardiographic study included concomitant procedures, conversion to median sternotomy, and nonsurvival during the index admission. Analyses addressed implantation safety, 30-day and intermediate-term survival and hemodynamic performance of the valves. Overall, patients were followed with duration ranging from 0.5 to 3 years. Early (<30 days) mortality occurred in 2 patients (1.1%), and there were 9 (5.1%) late (>30 days) deaths. Early thromboembolic events and postoperative bleeding requiring reoperation occurred at a rate of 4.0% (n = 7) and 6.2% (n = 11), respectively. Overall in 175 patients who met inclusion criteria for the follow-up echocardiography study, mean gradients across all valve sizes were 41.3 ± 14.9 (standard deviation) mm Hg preoperatively and remained low at 7.2 ± 3.9 mm Hg with mean effective orifice area of 1.8 ± 0.5 cm2 on the last follow-up echo. There was 1 case of infective prosthetic endocarditis, which did not require valve explant. There were no reoperations due to valve-related problems during the study period. This is the largest series reporting on outcomes of the latest-generation Trifecta valve implanted using right anterior minithoracotomy. Our results demonstrate that this valve can be safely implanted via a minimally invasive approach with excellent early and intermediate outcomes and hemodynamic performance.

Redo aortic valve replacement for prosthesis endocarditis in patients previously classified as high or prohibitive risk: a narrative review.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and sutureless aortic valve replacement (Su-AVR) enabled in the last years many patients at high or prohibitive risk to be treated for their severe symptomatic aortic valve stenosis. As often happens in medicine, new techniques bring not only new hopes, but also new problems. In recent years, alongside the lengthening of the life of these patients treated with TAVI or Su-AVR, cardiologists and cardiac surgeons have had to face the long-term complications associated with the implantation of these devices, such as the prosthetic infective endocarditis. The correct management of prosthesis valve endocarditis after TAVI or Su-AVR in high risk patients, and the possible role of surgery are a matter of debate because pushing the limits of the modern medicine and becoming a new challenge for cardiac surgeons of 21st century. In this review, we summarized the incidence, characteristics and evidences for this new and controversial problem of the cardiovascular community. Moreover, we investigated the outcomes reported in literature of the conservative and the surgical strategy. Although the reported mortality rate of surgical treatment is high, seems not prohibitive, mostly if compared to conservative medical therapy. The collaborative exchange between cardiologist, cardiac surgeons, clinical microbiologists and expert of imaging is mandatory to face this challenge.

PCV59 Economic Burden Associated with the Management of Mycobacterium Quimaera Endocarditis from the Perspective of a Spanish Hospital

Mycobacterium Chimaera (M.Chimaera) is a highly resistant microorganism responsible for the development of severe infections in patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgeries with extracorporeal circulation. Infections become clinically apparent after a time lag of months to years and lead to significant mortality and morbidity. Recommended treatment includes a combination of multiple antimicrobial drugs and the removal of foreign material. The aim of this study was to determine the cost associated with the management of a M.Chimaera endocarditis from a Spanish hospital perspective. A cost analysis was developed based on previously published results on health resource use (HRU) of the management of a prosthetic infective endocarditis. Unit costs were applied to estimates of HRU comprising diagnostic tests, hospital length of stay and pharmacological treatment. Costs were obtained from different Spanish sources and expressed in €2020. Deterministic sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the robustness of the base case results. The mean cost of the management of a M. Chimaera infection was €93,470.68 (€84,123.61- €102,817.75). Inpatient length of stay (121 days) represented the major cost driver (€77,936.79; 83.4%) followed by the pharmacological treatment (€5,058.99; 5.4%) and the aortic valve replacement surgery (€4,59.49; 4.9%), respectively. M. Chimaera associated infections represent a relevant economic burden for the hospitals. Current prevention strategies such as heater-cooler units disinfection protocols, and equipment removal from the operating room have clinically demonstrated to be insufficient and costly. Innovative machines such us non-toxic glycol based HCUs should be taken into consideration due to its proven long-term bactericidal properties in order to avoid potential infections in patients undergoing chest surgeries.

EACVI survey on the evaluation of infective endocarditis.

AimsTo evaluate the diagnosis and imaging of patients with suspected endocarditis and the management in routine clinical practice across Europe, the EACVI Scientific Initiatives Committee performed a survey across European centres. In particular, the routine use of echocardiography, advanced imaging modalities and multidisciplinary team was explored.Methods and resultsA total of 100 European Echocardiography Laboratories from 29 different countries responded to the survey, which consisted of 20 questions. For most of the use of echocardiography and advanced imaging, answers from the centres were relatively homogeneous and demonstrated good adherence to current recommendations. In particular, two-thirds of centres report the use of a specific endocarditis team for decision-making. Echocardiography plays a key role in the diagnosis and management of endocarditis. Nuclear imaging modalities are broadly available among the centres and are mainly used in prosthetic valve endocarditis and cardiac device-related infective endocarditis. Computed tomography (CT) is widely available and used to assess for structural valve abnormalities, neurological complications, and to preoperative assessment of the coronary arteries. Most institutions provide structured patients follow-up following hospital discharge.ConclusionIn Europe, a relatively homogenous adherence to current recommendation was observed for most diagnostic and management including the follow-up of patients with endocarditis. Decision-making is most commonly performed by a multidisciplinary team. Echocardiography remains the first line and central imaging modality for patient diagnosis and assessment, but 60% of centres also commonly use CT, whilst positron emission tomography imaging is used in patients with prosthetic valve endocarditis or device infection.

The Ross procedure is a safe and durable option in adults with infective endocarditis: a multicentrestudy.

Surgical treatment of infective endocarditis (IE) remains a challenge. The Ross procedure offers the benefit of a living substitute in the aortic position but it is a more complex operation which may lead to increased operative risk. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and late outcomes of the Ross procedure for the treatment of active IE. From 2000 to 2019, a total of 31 consecutive patients underwent a Ross procedure to treat active IE (mean age 43 ± 12 years, 84% male). All patients were followed up prospectively. Four patients (13%) were intravenous (IV) drug users and 6 patients (19%) had prosthetic IE. The most common infective organism was Streptococcus (58%). Median follow-up was 3.5 (0.9-4.5) years and 100% complete. There were no in-hospital deaths. One patient suffered a postoperative stroke (3%) and 1 patient (3%) required reintervention for bleeding. Three patients had a new occurrence endocarditis: 2 patients were limited to the pulmonary homograft and successfully managed with IV antibiotics, whereas 1 IV drug user patient developed concomitant autograft and homograft endocarditis. Overall, cumulative incidence of IE recurrence was 13 ± 8% at 8 years. The cumulative incidence for autograft endocarditis was 5 ± 4% at 8 years. Two patients (6%) died during follow-up, both from drug overdoses. At 8 years, actuarial survival was 88 ± 8%. In selected patients with IE, the Ross procedure is a safe and reasonable alternative with good mid-term outcomes. Freedom from recurrent infection on the pulmonary autograft is excellent, labelporting the notion that a living valve in the aortic position provides good resistance to infection. Nevertheless, in IV drug user patients, pulmonary homograft endocarditis remains a challenge. Continued follow-up is needed to ascertain the long-term benefits of this approach.

Late infective endocarditis after transcatheter tricuspid valve-in-valve implantation: A pediatric case report

In patients with congenital heart diseases, new procedures, such as transcatheter valve replacement, have been associated with a non-negligible incidence of infective endocarditis (IE): up to 4% patient–year IE incidence. Prosthetic IE after percutaneous tricuspid valve replacement (PTVR) has been scarcely reported. We report the first pediatric case of IE after percutaneous tricuspid Melody™ valve-in-valve implantation in a boy who was diagnosed with Eisenmenger syndrome, related to patent ductus arteriosus. This first pediatric case of late IE (4 years) after PTVR is added to eight previously reported cases of IE from the valve-in-valve international database registry (VIVID registry).

Predictors of mortality in valvular infective endocarditis: A single-center study

Background Valvular infective endocarditis (IE) may occur in association with either native or prosthetic valves, with great risk of mortality and morbidity. Surgical management is an essential part of the therapeutic process in these patients. Objectives This study aims at evaluation of early outcomes of surgically treated patients with native or prosthetic IE together with determining predictors of mortality. Patients and methods Outcomes of 60 patients who underwent surgery for native or prosthetic valve endocarditis at National Heart Institute during a 3-year period (April 2016 to March 2019) were studied prospectively. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative data were tested as possible predictors for mortality. All patients were followed for at least 6 months after surgery. Results The hospital mortality rate was 11 (18.3%) patients, and total mortality rate after 6-month follow-up was 17 (28.3%) patients. Native valve endocarditis was present in 36 (60.0%) patients and prosthetic valve endocarditis in 24 (40.0%) patients. The commonest involved valve was mitral valve in 19 (31.7%) followed by aortic valve in 14 (23.3%). The commonest isolated organisms were Staphylococcus spp., which was found in 19 (31.6%) patients, followed by Streptococcus spp. and Gram negative bacteria, which were found in nine (15.0%) patients each. Mean Euro score II was 6.21 ± 2.54 in the surviving group. Duration of bypass time was 144.75 ± 35.81 min in dead patients and 104.56 ± 20.43 min in the surviving patients. Congestive heart failure, embolization, and periannular extension of infection were the most powerful predictors of in-hospital mortality. Periannular extension of infection was the most powerful predictor of 6-month mortality. Conclusion Surgery for IE is risky, especially in redo cases. Extensive infection carried the worst prognosis. Euro score II is a reliable indicator for hospital and early mortality. Valve repair can be performed in selected cases.

How Much Resistance is Considered During Prophylaxis Recommendation? A Case Report of Infective Endocarditis with Multi-Drug Resistant Streptococcus Despite Appropriate Prophylaxis Before Dental Intervention

Infective endocarditis is a disease with high mortality and morbidity, generally caused by a wide range of organisms. Prophylaxis with penicillins, cefalosporins, macrolides, or vancomycin is highly recommended for the patients with endocarditis, prosthetic heart valves. An 83-year-old man admitted with fever, fatigue, and joint pain and reported dental intervention following amoxicillin prophylaxis fortyfive days ago. Patient history indicated acute rheumatoid arthritis, bacterial endocarditis, and mitral and aortic valve replacement. S. Sanguinis was detected in the blood culture of the patient, which was resistant to penicillin and ampicillin. He was given meropenem, the clinical status was improved and no microorganisms were detected in two follow-up blood cultures. Endocarditis prophylaxis should be individualized considering the globally high penicillin resistance, especially for the patients with prosthetic valves and/or infective endocarditis history. In addition, to decrease the bacterial load of the oral flora before elective dental or respiratory intervention is recommended with antibiotic prophylaxis.

Redo aortic root operations in late prosthetic endocarditis: clinical case series

Prosthetic aortic valve endocarditis is a severe disease that quickly leads to heart failure. Owing to microorganisms and their toxins constantly entering the bloodstream, bypassing biological barriers, and hemodynamic disturbances, systemic embolism develops quite quickly, leading to sepsis and multi-organ failure. Conservative antibiotic therapy is often not effective because the infectious focus is located in the avascular zone. The presence of an implanted foreign body promotes adhesion of bacteria on the surface of the prosthetic tissue with simultaneous isolation from the action of phagocytes. Conservative treatment of prosthetic infectious endocarditis has an extremely unfavourable prognosis. Hospital mortality without operation is approximately 80%. Operations for prosthetic infectious endocarditis of the aortic valve are technically complex and require a highly qualified operating surgeon. The most difficult operations involve extension of the abscess to the aortic root, area of mitralaortic continuity and left ventricular outflow tract. In such situations, it is necessary to perform complex reconstructive operations on the aortic root, mitral-aortic continuity and left ventricular outflow tract. This study presents an overview of a series of complex redo operations on the aortic root and the ascending aorta in late prosthetic infectious endocarditis, with an analysis of the main tactical and technical aspects of the operations. Moreover, similar operations can be performed with good results by an experienced cardiac surgeon. In this case, it is necessary that prior to operation, the surgeon develops an algorithm of actions and determines 1) optimal access to the heart, 2) perfusion scheme, 3) type of implantable conduit, 4) cardiolysis performance features, 5) myocardial protection scheme and 6) features of the treatment of the infectious focus.Received 29 October 2019. Revised 19 December 2019. Accepted 23 December 2019.Funding: The study did not have sponsorship.Conflict of interest: Authors declare no conflict of interest.Author contributionsDrafting the article: I.I. Skopin, P.V. Kakhktsyan, M.S. Latyshev, D.V. Murysova, T.A. Kupriy, I.A. ZhangerievCritical revision of the article: I.I. Skopin, P.V. Kakhktsyan, M.S. Latyshev, D.V. Murysova, T.A. Kupriy, I.A. Zhangeriev, E.V. Khasigova, L.Zh. EnokyanSurgical treatment I.I. Skopin, P.V. KakhktsyanDiagnostics: L.Zh. EnokyanTreatment: D.V. Murysova, T.A. KupriyAssistance in surgery: M.S. Latyshev, E.V. KhasigovaFinal approval of the version to be published: I.I. Skopin, P.V. Kakhktsyan, M.S. Latyshev, D.V. Murysova, T.A. Kupriy, I.A. Zhangeriev, E.V. Khasigova, L.Zh. Enokyan

78-Year-Old Woman With Intermittent Chest Pain and Palpitations

78-Year-Old Woman With Intermittent Chest Pain and Palpitations

Infective endocarditis: innovations in the management of an old disease.

The annual incidence of infective endocarditis (IE) is estimated to be between 15 and 80 cases per million persons in population-based studies. The incidence of IE is markedly increased in patients with valve prostheses (>4 per 1,000) or with prior IE (>10 per 1,000). The interaction between platelets, microorganisms and diseased valvular endothelium is the cause of vegetations and valvular or perivalvular tissue destruction. Owing to its complexity, the diagnosis of IE is facilitated by the use of the standardized Duke-Li classification, which combines two major criteria (microbiology and imaging) with five minor criteria. However, the sensitivity of the Duke-Li classification is suboptimal, particularly in prosthetic IE, and can be improved by the use of PET or radiolabelled leukocyte scintigraphy. Prolonged antibiotic therapy is mandatory. Indications for surgery during acute IE depend on the presence of haemodynamic, septic and embolic complications. The most urgent indications for surgery are related to heart failure. Inthe past decade, the prevention of IE has been reoriented, with indications for antibiotic prophylaxis now limited to patients at high risk of IE undergoing dental procedures. Guidelines now emphasize the importance of nonspecific oral and cutaneous hygiene in individual patients and during health-care procedures.

Successful long-term antibiotic suppressive therapy in a case of prosthetic valve endocarditis and a case of extensive aortic and subclavian graft infection

IntroductionThe indication for surgical valve replacement in cases of infective endocarditis is well defined in current guidelines. However, some patients are not fit or willing to undergo major surgical procedures. Interestingly, to the best of our knowledge, there is scarce information in the literature on how to deal with such cases and what might be the outcome.Case reportWe present two complicated cases of prosthetic infective endocarditis with definite indication for replacement of involved foreign material, who were treated successfully with long-term suppressive antibiotic therapy.ConclusionThese two cases demonstrate that individualized long-term antibiotic suppressive therapy might be effective in selected patients with complicated PVE unfit or unwilling to undergo high-risk cardiothoracic surgical interventions.

Redo aortic root repair in patients with infective prosthetic endocarditis using xenopericardial solutions.

We describe a conceptual approach involving the use of self-made xenopericardial grafts in combination with biological aortic valve prostheses and in addition using a xenopericardial tubes for aortic valve reimplantation in patients with infective prosthetic endocarditis after aortic root repair or supracoronary ascending aortic replacement. The cohort comprised 7 consecutive patients with proven prosthetic infection either after aortic root replacement (n = 5), the David operation (n = 1) or supracoronary ascending aortic replacement (n = 1). The strategy consists of complete removal of the infected prosthetic material and orthotopic reconstruction using a bovine pericardial patch sewn as a tube according to the required aortic diameter. In case of valve replacement, Edwards Magna Ease (n = 4 patients) and Edwards Inspiris (n = 2 patients) were used inside the xenopericardial tube. Five patients also required hemiarch and 1 patient required complete aortic arch replacement. Median length of stay in the intensive care unit and on the regular ward thereafter was 11 (6.5-13.5) days and 26.0 (14.5-32.5) days, respectively. All patients were successfully discharged. Median follow-up time was 7.6 (±2.1) months. Currently, all patients are not on antibiotic therapy and free from any signs of persisting or recurring infection. At the short-term follow-up, no structural valve deterioration, paravalvular insufficiency or graft calcification was found. Using a self-made xenopericardial graft in combination with a biological aortic valve prosthesis for a Bio-Bentall and using a xenopericardial tube for a Bio-David operation is a safe and reproducible strategy and presents an off-the-shelf alternative to homografts. The short-term results of this approach are excellent. Further studies are needed to confirm mid- and long-term durability in larger cohorts.

Clinical Characteristics of Infective Endocarditis in Children.

Infective endocarditis (IE) remains a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge associated with high morbidity and mortality. We evaluated the microbial profile and clinical manifestation of IE in children. A retrospective study examining pediatric IE cases treated between 2000 and 2017 at the Department of Pediatric Cardiology, KU Leuven, was conducted. Clinical presentation, treatment, complications, outcome of IE, underlying microorganisms and congenital heart defects were reviewed. Fifty-three patients were diagnosed with IE. Overall, 19 patients (36%) required cardiac surgery. Seven patients (13%) died. Eighty-seven percent of patients had an underlying congenital cardiac defect. Eighteen (34%) children presented with prosthetic graft IE. A causative organism was found in 49 (92%) cases: viridans group streptococci were identified in 17 (32%), Staphylococcus aureus in 13 (25%) and coagulase-negative staphylococci in 11 (20%) children. Community-acquired (CA) IE increased significantly from 8 (33%) cases in 2000-2007 to 20 (74%) cases in 2008-2017 (P < 0.01). Even with viridans streptococci being significantly more prevalent in the CA group (P < 0.01), we did not observe an increase of streptococcal IE from 2008 to 2017. Seventeen (32%) patients presented with hospital-acquired IE during the first year of life with 14 (82%) children after surgery and a prevalence of coagulase-negative staphylococci (53%). The incidence of pediatric IE was similar over the investigated time period with a shift toward CA IE. Streptococci and staphylococci accounted for the majority of cases in both periods. Awareness of IE and its prevention is crucial in patients after implantation of prosthetic grafts.

A Case of Prosthetic Infective Endocarditis with Acute Myocardial Infarction due to Septic Embolism

A Case of Prosthetic Infective Endocarditis with Acute Myocardial Infarction due to Septic Embolism

Risk Factors for In-Hospital Mortality in Infective Endocarditis.

BackgroundInfective endocarditis (IE) is associated with severe complications and high mortality. The assessment of mortality rates and predictors for fatal events is important to identify modifiable factors related to the pattern of treatment, in order to improve outcomes.ObjectivesWe sought to evaluate clinical outcomes of patients with IE and to determine predictors of in-hospital mortality.MethodsRetrospective single-center study including patients with IE admitted during a 10-year period (2006-2015). Data on comorbidities, clinical presentation, microbiology and clinical outcomes during hospitalization were evaluated. Risk factors of in-hospital death were analyzed. A p-value < 0.05 was considered significant.ResultsA total of 134 cases were included (73% males, mean age of 61 ± 16 years-old). Half of them had previous valvular heart disease. Healthcare-associated IE and negative blood-cultures occurred in 22% and prosthetic IE in 25%. The aortic valve was the one most often affected by infection. Staphylococcus aureus was the most commonly isolated microorganism. Forty-four (32.8%) patients underwent cardiac surgery. The in-hospital mortality rate was 31.3% (42 patients). The identified risk factors for in-hospital mortality were Staphylococcus aureus etiology (OR 6.47; 95% CI: 1.07-39.01; p = 0.042), negative blood-cultures (OR 9.14; 95% CI: 1.42-58.77; p = 0.02), evidence of valve obstruction in echocardiography (OR 8.57; 95% CI: 1.11-66.25; p = 0.039), clinical evolution with heart failure (OR 4.98; 95%CI: 1.31-18.92; p = 0.018) or septic shock (OR 20.26; 95% CI: 4.04-101.74; p < 0.001). Cardiac surgery was a protective factor of mortality (OR 0.14; 95% CI 0.03-0.65; p = 0.012).ConclusionThe risk factors for in-hospital mortality were clinical (heart failure, septic shock), evidence of valve obstruction in echocardiography, Staphylococcus aureus etiology or negative blood cultures. Invasive treatment by surgery significantly decreased the mortality risk.

Minimally invasive Ozaki technique

Implantation of a mechanical or biological graft remains the gold standard in treatment of patients with aortic valve pathology. However, the necessity of taking anticoagulants, the problem of graft durability, the risk for thromboembolic and haemorrhagic complications, prosthetic infective endocarditis impel surgeons to search for and develop new technologies. One of such new techniques is prosthetic repair of the aortic valve using autologous pericardium according to the S. Ozaki operation. This procedure makes it possible to form an aortic valve with excellent haemodynamic characteristics and low frequency of re-do operations in both the early and remote periods. Current trends are towards exponential growth of minimally invasive cardiosurgical interventions. Upper partial sternotomy is one of the most commonly used techniques in surgery of the aortic valve. The results of previous studies demonstrated that a minimally invasive approach apart from a good cosmetic effect has a series of advantages over full sternotomy by the in-hospital and remote outcomes. On the other hand, a minimally invasive access is associated with limited surgical exposure and tight operative field and is therefore technically more complicated than the operation via full sternotomy. In our retrospective study we compared the clinical outcomes of the minimally invasive Ozaki technique (Ozaki Mini Group, n=30) and full sternotomy (Ozaki Full Group, n=112). Because of differences between the groups by the clinical and demographic parameters in order to ensure maximum comparability we conducted computer-assisted propensity score matching, resulting in formation of 2 groups consisting of 30 patients each. The primary outcome measures of the study were 30-day all-cause mortality and postoperative major adverse cardiac events (myocardial infarction, stroke). As additional categorical outcomes we examined new-onset atrial fibrillation and renal failure, resternotomy, prolonged (>24 h) assisted artificial pulmonary ventilation, mediastinitis/sternal instability. Secondary outcome measures were as follows: the duration of the operation, duration of myocardial ischaemia and artificial circulation, blood loss, requirement for transfusion of donor blood components.