Setting Of Infective Endocarditis Research Articles

Etiopathogenetic factors of infective endocarditis in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery

Objective. To determine the etiopathogenetic risk factors for the development of infective endocarditis, taking into account demographic and gender characteristics in patients undergoing mitral valve surgery. Materials and methods. The study included 107 patients who underwent mitral valve surgery. There were 74 men and 33 women. The age of the patients ranged from 20 to 76 years, with a mean age of (50.6 ± 4.8) years. All patients had a history of infective endocarditis with subsequent mitral valve disease. All patients underwent mitral valve repair/prosthetics at the Amosov National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine. Data from the primary medical records (medical histories, primary medical records, physical, clinical, laboratory and instrumental examinations) were used as the basis for the analysis. Results. Depending on the surgical treatment performed, patients were divided into two groups: experimental – 67 patients who underwent organ–preserving surgery (mitral valve repair), and control – 40 patients who underwent mitral valve prosthetics. The peculiarities of age and gender distribution of patients with mitral valve disease in the setting of infective endocarditis were studied. The frequency of etiopathogenetic risk factors for the development of infective endocarditis, taking into account the sex of patients in both study groups, was determined. Conclusions. Determination of etiopathogenetic risk factors for the development of infective endocarditis is extremely important, as it allows to plan surgical treatment and rehabilitation period taking into account all anamnestic features of the patient.

Initiation of warfarin is associated with decreased mortality in patients with infective endocarditis: a population based cohort study

Abstract Background The use of warfarin as an anticoagulant to prevent thromboembolism in setting of infective endocarditis (IE) remains controversial due to increased bleeding risks. Purpose To study the risks of stroke, mortality and bleeding in warfarin users compared with non-use. Methods Patients aged 18 or older and diagnosed with IE in our city between January 1st 1997 and August 31st 2020 were included. Patients with use of any anticoagulant 30 days before IE diagnosis were excluded. Patients initiated on warfarin within 14 days of IE diagnosis and patients without warfarin use were matched using propensity scores (1:1 ratio). The study outcomes were ischemic stroke, all-cause mortality, intracranial hemorrhage, and gastrointestinal bleeding. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to determine the hazard ratios [95% confidence intervals (CIs)] for the predictors of study outcomes at the end of 90-day follow up. Results The matched cohort consisted of 675 warfarin users (57.0% male, age 59±16 years, mean CHA2DS2-VASc score: 1.42±1.72) and 675 warfarin non-users (53.5% male, age 61±19 years, mean CHA2DS2-VASc score: 1.58±1.76). Warfarin use was not associated with ischemic stroke risk (Hazard ratio: 1.04 [95% CI, 0.70-1.53]), but was associated with a 50% decreased risk of all-cause mortality (HR: 0.50 [0.39-0.65]). In terms of bleeding risk, intracranial hemorrhage occurred in 36 (5.3%) warfarin users and in 29 (4.3%) patients warfarin non-users, and gastrointestinal bleeding occurred in 27 (4.0%) warfarin users and in 26 (3.9%) warfarin non-users. Conclusions Warfarin use is associated with decreased risks of mortality but similar risks of ischemic stroke compared with non-use of warfarin in patients with IE.Kaplein Meier curves of study outcomes

Meta-analysis of the performances of contemporary risk models in cardiac surgery for infective endocarditis

Abstract Background Risk scores play important roles in the decision-making for cardiac surgery, but remain under-studied in the setting of infective endocarditis (IE) when there is often a high risk of adverse outcomes. Several IE-specific risk scores have been developed recently, but there is a paucity of external validation studies. We aimed to pool the performance of current risk models applied to IE surgery. Methods Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase and Cochrane Library were comprehensively searched following PRISMA guidelines for eligible studies. Standard meta-analysis techniques using random effects models were used to pool the discriminative and calibration performance of risk scores for predicting operative mortality after IE surgery. Results Amongst 620 studies and 50 full-text articles screened, 17 studies reporting 12 risk scores and totaling 6337 patients were included. Amongst traditional risk scores, EuroSCORE I, EuroSCORE II, and STS IE score had pooled areas under curve (95%CI) of 0.727 (0.700.754), 0.753 (0.731-0.775), and 0.695 (0.645-0.746) (Table1). However, EuroSCORE II significantly over-estimated operative mortality while EuroSCORE I had good calibration with pooled Peto’s odds ratio (95%CI) of 2.47 (1.22-5.01) and 1.00 (0.74-1.36) respectively. Amongst IE-specific scores, areas under curve (95%CI) was highest for the ANCLA score 0.838 (0.803-0.873) and lowest for the COSTA score 0.641 (0.573-0.710). Conclusion Most contemporary risk score had moderate discriminative ability for operative mortality after IE surgery, with the IE-specific ANCLA score performing the best. However, there is room for improving the performance of current risk models, along with need for further external validation studies and calibration assessment, especially for IE-specific scores.

P191 MITRAL VALVE REPAIR FOR INFECTIVE ENDOCARDITIS LONG TERM RESULTS

Abstract Background and aim The clinical benefits of mitral valve repair over replacement in the setting of mitral infective endocarditis remain not clearly established. We aim to review the clinical experience in mitral valve surgery for infective endocarditis looking at mid–term survival. Methods Prospectively collected data of patients who underwent cardiac surgery for infective endocarditis between 2001 and 2021 at two cardiac centres were reviewed. Among them, 282 patients underwent native mitral valve surgery and were included in the study. Nearest–neighbour propensity score matching, including twelve preoperative variables, was performed to account for differences in patients’ profile between the repair and replacement subgroups. Results Propensity matching provided 87 well–matched pairs. Mean age was 60±15 years, 76% of the patients were male. Twenty–two patients (12%) had a recent cerebral event. CABG and aortic valve replacement were associated in 10% and in 38% of the cases, respectively. Patients who underwent mitral valve replacement had a higher rate of annular, commissures and bileaflet lesions. Overall in–hospital mortality was 7% with no difference between the repair and the replacement cohorts (p=0.77). Survival probabilities at 1, 5– and 10–years were 89%, 70% and 67%, respectively after mitral repair, and 88%, 76% and 62%, respectively after mitral replacement; log–rank p=0.94. Freedom from mitral intervention by any cause at 10–years was 3.3% and 8.7%, respectively after mitral repair and mitral replacement; Gray’s p=0.37. Conclusions Mitral valve repair was associated with acceptable in–hospital mortality and survival in a high–risk and comorbid cohort of patients with mitral valve infection. We found no difference in early, mid–term survival and mitral reoperation risk between patients who underwent repair or replacement of the mitral valve in the setting of infective endocarditis.

P20 LOOK BEYOND APPEARANCES:NOT ONLY A SIMPLE AORTIC ENDOCARDITIS

Abstract Infective endocarditis (IE) refers to the colonization of cardiac valve endocardium by virulent microorganisms. It is the fourth leading cause of life–threatening infectious disease syndrome, if not efficiently diagnosed and treated. The three most common causes of IE on native valves (from the most to the least frequent) are Staphylococci, Streptococci and Enterococci. Enterococcus related IE are often associated to endoscopic procedures involving the digestive tract. The most remarkable structural complications associated with IE are: cusp or leaflet rupture, perforation, aneurysm/pseudoaneurysm, fistula, abscess, embolization. The usual final consequences of these lesions are severe valve regurgitation and heart failure.A 74 years old male patient with no history of heart disease, presented to the hospital with orthopnoea and periferal edema, consistent with acute heart failure.Few months before he underwent a routine colonscopy. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a mildly reduced ejection fraction and the presence of a little, mobile mass on the aortic valve, suggestive of vegetation, associated with a severe aortic regurgitation. The diagnosis was confirmed thanks to a transesophageal echocardiogram that represents the technique of choice for the diagnosis of endocarditis and for detecting eventual perivalvular extention; it documented the presence of an endocarditic vegetation protruting in the LVOT, complicated by a pseudoaneurysm, identified as a pulsatile perivalvular echo free–space with colour doppler flow inside. Successively, a specific antibiotic therapy was started because of the positivity of blood cultures for Enterococcus Faecalis. After performing a thoracic computed tomography that showed the presence of “plus image" at the level of aortic valvular plane, particularly between the right coronary and non–coronary cusp, consistent firstly with a pseudoaneurysm, the patient underwent urgent cardiac surgery with the removal of the vegetations and the implantion of an aortic valve bioprosthesis after the apposition of bovine pericardial patches for repairing aortic wall’s lacerations. A post–operative transesophageal echocardiogram revealed a good result with a mild paravalvular leak. Pseudoaneurysm and severe valvular regurgitation are among the major causes of acute heart failure in the setting of infective endocarditis. In such cases, surgery should be considered to decrease mortality.

Removal of a leadless pacemaker using a 2.5cc syringe and silk thread during surgical treatment of infective endocarditis

Removal of a leadless pacemaker using a 2.5cc syringe and silk thread during surgical treatment of infective endocarditis

Mid- and Long-Term Surgical Outcomes Due to Infective Endocarditis in Elderly Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is one of the true remaining dreaded situations in cardiovascular medicine. Current international guidelines do not include specific recommendations for treatment options of infective endocarditis (conventional vs. surgical) based on the patient's age, functional status or comorbidities. Elderly patients have less invasive and often delayed surgeries compared to younger patients due to their shorter long-term survival probabilities. In the setting of IE, this might not be the right treatment, as surgery is the only curative option in up to 50% of all endocarditis patients. The aim of our study was to evaluate the mid- and long-term surgical outcomes due to infective endocarditis of patients aged ≥70 years. Between 2002 and 2020, a retrospective study with 137 patients aged 70 years and older and 276 patients aged below 70 years was conducted. Altogether, 413 consecutive patients who received surgery due to infective native or prosthetic valve endocarditis were assigned to either the elderly (E)-Group or the control (C)-Group. Primary endpoints were short- and long-term MACCEs (Major Adverse Cardiac and Cerebrovascular Events) as a composite of death or major adverse events, and secondary endpoints were intraoperative variables and postoperative course. Preoperative risk factors differed significantly. Elderly patients had more arterial hypertension, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, chronic renal insufficiency and coronary heart disease. Fewer of them were in a state of emergency. Time from diagnosis to OR, antibiotic pretreatment, length of surgery and cardiopulmonary bypass time were significantly longer in the E-Group. Furthermore, 44.5% of patients in the E-Group had prosthesis endocarditis as opposed to 29.7% in the C-group. During postoperative follow-up, new onset of hemodialysis, duration of ventilation, delirium, reintubation and tracheotomy rates were significantly higher in the E-Group. There were significant differences in 7- and 30-day mortality. One- year survival was 62% for the E-Group and 79% for the C-Group. Five-year survival was 47% for the E-Group and 67% for the C-Group. This study demonstrates that surgery for infective endocarditis is a high-risk procedure, especially for elderly people. Nevertheless, as it is more or less the only concept to increase long-term survival, it should be offered generously to all patients who are still able to take care of themselves.

CASSIA (cardiology software suite for image analysis): a potential new tool for the evaluation of [18F]FDG PET/CT in the setting of infective endocarditis

PurposeDue to the high morbidity and mortality of infective endocarditis (IE), medical imaging techniques are combined to ensure a correct diagnosis. [18F]FDG PET/CT has demonstrated the ability to improve diagnostic accuracy compared with the conventional modified Duke criteria in patients with suspected IE, especially those with prosthetic valve infective endocarditis (PVIE). The aim of this study is to provide an adjunctive diagnostic tool to improve the diagnostic accuracy in cardiovascular infections, specifically PVIE.MethodsA segmentation tool to extract quantitative measures of [18F]FDG PET/CT image studies of prosthetic heart valve regions was developed and validated in 20 cases of suspected PVIE, of which 9 were confirmed. For that, Valvular Heterogeneity Index (VHI) and Ring-to-Center Ratio (RCR) were defined.ResultsResults show an overall increase in the metabolic uptake of the prosthetic valve ring in the studies with confirmed PVIE diagnosis (SUVmax from 1.70 to 3.20; SUVmean from 0.86 to 1.50). The VHI and RCR showed areas under the curve of 0.727 and 0.808 in the receiver operating characteristics curve analyses, respectively, for PVIE diagnosis. Mann–Whitney U tests showed statistically significant differences between groups for RCR (p = 0.02). Visual analyses and clinical reports were concordant with the extracted quantitative metrics.ConclusionThe proposed new method and presented software solution (CASSIA) provide the capability to assess quantitatively myocardial metabolism along the prosthetic valve region in routine [18F]FDG PET/CT scans for evaluating heart valve infectious processes. VHI and RCR are proposed as new potential adjunctive measures for PVIE diagnosis.

Intraoperative Transesophageal Echocardiography Leading to Changes in Surgical Management in the Setting of Infective Endocarditis

Intraoperative Transesophageal Echocardiography Leading to Changes in Surgical Management in the Setting of Infective Endocarditis

P47 MITRAL VALVE REPAIR FOR INFECTIVE ENDOCARDITIS: A PROPENSITY MATCHED STUDY

Abstract Background The clinical benefits of mitral valve repair over replacement in the setting of mitral infective endocarditis remain not clearly established. We aim to review the clinical experience in mitral valve surgery for infective endocarditis looking at mid–term survival. Methods Prospectively collected data of patients who underwent cardiac surgery for infective endocarditis between 2001 and 2021 at two cardiac centres were reviewed. Among them, 282 patients underwent native mitral valve surgery and were included in the study. Nearest–neighbour propensity score matching, including twelve preoperative variables, was performed to account for differences in patients’ profile between the repair and replacement subgroups. Results In the unmatched populations, mean age of the patients was 60±15 years and 72% were male. Active infective endocarditis was described in 226 cases (80%). Thirty–four patients (12%) suffered cerebral embolism and in 10% of the cases preoperative inotropic support and/or mechanical ventilation were required. Associated procedure were CABG, aortic valve replacement and tricuspid valve repair, 13%, 36% and 9% of the cases, respectively. Mitral valve repair was performed in 96 cases (32%). Overall in–hospital mortality was 6.7% and was not significantly different between patients who underwent repair or replacement of the mitral valve (7.2% vs 6.4%, p = 0.79). Propensity matching provided 72 well–matched pairs. Mean age was 59±15 years, 75% of the patients were male. Sixteen patients (11%) had a recent cerebral event. An emergency operation was carried out in 15% of the cases, 10% of the patients presented a NYHA class>III and 14 patients (10%) underwent a redo procedure. CABG and aortic valve replacement were associated in 14% and in 35% of the cases, respectively. Overall in–hospital mortality was 6.9% with no difference between the repair and the replacement cohorts 9.7% vs 4.2%, respectively (p = 0.19). Survival probabilities at 1–, 5– and 10–years were 89%, 71% and 67%, respectively after mitral repair, and 90%, 77% and 57%, respectively after mitral replacement; log–rank p = 0.90. Conclusions Mitral valve repair was associated with acceptable in–hospital mortality and survival in a high–risk and comorbid cohort of patients with mitral valve infection. We found no difference in early and mid–term survival between patients who underwent repair or replacement of the mitral valve in the setting of infective endocarditis.

Beta Lactams Plus Daptomycin Combination Therapy for Infective Endocarditis: An Italian National Survey (BADAS).

Background: infective endocarditis (IE) remains a severe disease frequently encountered in clinical practice and often requiring interdisciplinary medical and surgical management. This national survey aims to describe the clinical prescribing habits of the use of daptomycin in the setting of IE and the possible role for combination therapy with beta-lactams. Methods: The study was a cross-sectional internet-based questionnaire survey on therapy with daptomycin. The questionnaire was designed with closed-ended questions and distributed using the SurveyMonkey® platform between October 2019 to December 2020. Results: 55 clinicians from twelve Italians regions joined the questionnaire. The survey reported use of daptomycin as first-line choice in 31.48% of cases and as the first-line anti-MRSA agent in 44.44%. The empiric use of daptomycin was stated in the high suspicion of MRSA rather than MSSA, enterococcal or streptococcal IE. The rationale of daptomycin for the empirical treatment of native and prosthetic valve IE was mostly the possibility of administering an aminoglycoside-sparing combination regimen, high bacterial killing rate and high clinical efficacy. Conclusions: In conclusion, in selected patients, daptomycin could be a feasible option for the treatment of infective endocarditis in line with data from the European registry of daptomycin.

Abstract 1122‐000053: Trends in Intervention Modality for Patients with Mycotic Aneurysms: A Nationwide Analysis

Introduction : Mycotic aneurysms, also known as infectious intracranial aneurysms, are sometimes responsible for intracranial hemorrhage in patients with infective endocarditis. Data regarding when and how to treat mycotic aneurysms most effectively are sparse. Given the widespread adoption of endovascular treatments for non‐infectious intracranial aneurysms and acute stroke, we hypothesized that endovascular treatment is increasingly utilized for patients with mycotic aneurysms. We examined trends in endovascular versus open neurosurgical treatment of mycotic aneurysms in patients with infective endocarditis. Methods : We performed a trends analysis using data from 2000–2015 from the National Inpatient Sample. The National Inpatient Sample is an all‐payer database that includes data for a representative sample of hospitalizations to non‐federal hospitals in the United States. We included all hospitalizations for patients with ruptured (on the basis of subarachnoid hemorrhage) or unruptured cerebral aneurysms alongside a diagnosis of infective endocarditis; diagnoses were ascertained using ICD‐9‐CM codes. Treatment modalities were categorized as endovascular versus open neurosurgical repair based on ICD‐9‐CM procedure codes. National Inpatient Sample survey weights were used to calculate nationally representative estimates. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between calendar year and intervention rate, presented as an odds ratio for each additional year. Results : We identified 1,015 hospitalizations for patients with a ruptured or unruptured cerebral aneurysm in the setting of infective endocarditis. Their mean age was 54.6 years (SD, 16.6), and 60.1% were male. The overall rate of intervention was 11.9% (95% CI, 9.6‐14.2%), and this rate did not change appreciably over time (p = 0.772). In comparing intervention modalities over time, there was a decrease in open neurosurgical repair (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.84‐0.95; p = 0.001), offset by an increase in endovascular repair (OR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.01‐1.14; p = 0.023) (Figure). Conclusions : Rates of mycotic aneurysm intervention during hospitalizations for infective endocarditis have not changed. However, the use of endovascular treatment has become more commonplace while the use of open neurosurgical treatments has decreased. Further directions include understanding whether this shift has improved patients’ outcomes and ultimately enumerating best practices for patients with mycotic aneurysms.

Experience with the Freestyle Valve: A Versatile Option

Objective: The Medtronic Freestyle bioprosthesis is a stentless porcine aortic root. It provides a versatile implantation option either as a full root replacement or a sub-coronary aortic valve replacement. In this study we present our experience with the Freestyle valve in all circumstances over a 10-year period. Methods: All consecutive patients (n=70) undergoing Freestyle valve implantation either in the isolated or concomitant (n=9) setting were included between Jan 2009 to Jan 2020. A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data was undertaken over 10 years. All case notes were reviewed (operation notes and follow up correspondence). Serial follow up echocardiography was reviewed to assess prosthesis function for structural valve deterioration. Echocardiography data was correlated with patient’s clinical status during the follow up period. Mortality data was checked with national registries. Results: In-hospital mortality was 5.7% (n=4). Of the 66 patients, there were 6 deaths during follow up. Surviving patients were followed for a median period of 2 years (IQR 1-3 years). No patients underwent re-intervention for structural valve deterioration. At follow up, 90% patients’ symptoms were consistent with NYHA class I-II and were successfully discharged to their primary care physician. Conclusions: Our experience with the Freestyle valve shows this to be a feasible bioprosthetic valve with good early and late outcomes. It is a versatile option both in the subcoronary position or as a complete aortic root replacement with low morbidity. Our experience has shown that the Freestyle valve is a preferable option in the setting of infective endocarditis with tissue destruction. Long-term follow-up has shown no structural valve deterioration in our experience, with good clinical outcomes. Freestyle valve used as aortic root versus subcoronary position Valve Position Root Replacement Subcoronary 35 35 Redo 18 16 Infective Endocarditis 12 19 Death (follow up) 3 3 Mean Bypass (Cross clamp) time/min 269 (185) 240 (156) Mean haemodynamic data MG- mmHg/PG-mmHg/AVA-cm2 6.6/12.5/1.6 6.0/8.0/0.7 Aortic regurgitation at follow up 0 0

Systematic Review of Minimally Invasive Surgery for Mitral Valve Infective Endocarditis

Objective The scope of application of minimally invasive mitral valve surgery is expanding. However, the safety and efficacy of minimally invasive mitral valve surgery in the setting of infective endocarditis is not well known. We sought to identify the best evidence available to support a minimally invasive surgical approach for mitral valve infective endocarditis. Methods A systematic review of minimally invasive mitral valve surgery for infective endocarditis was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Results A total of 6 manuscripts describing 271 patients were identified. Mean age was 60.4 ± 14.9 years old, and 60.1% patients were male. Mean EuroSCORE II was 24.6 ± 23.2. Mitral valve repair was achieved in 32.4% of cases. The average in-hospital mortality was 9.4%, and average length of hospital stay was 21.6 days. Survival was 89.1% at 30 days, and 1-year survival was 79.3%. Rate of conversion to sternotomy was 1.8%. Postoperative complications included: 6.9% postoperative bleeding, 9.3% new postoperative dialysis, 2.3% postoperative stroke, and 3.4% recurrence of endocarditis. Reoperation over the long-term was required in 9.3% of cases. Conclusions Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery for infective endocarditis has acceptable perioperative morbidity as well as short- and intermediate-term mortality at experienced centers. Minimally invasive mitral valve surgery may be an acceptable alternative approach to infective endocarditis and warrants further study.

Post-surgical outcomes in infective endocarditis patients with liver disease: nationwide propensity-match analysis

Abstract Introduction Surgery remains the definitive treatment for persistent infective endocarditis (IE). Age, renal dysfunction and diabetes mellitus are few amongst the many associated with increased post-surgical mortality. Liver dysfunction is a common entity seen in patients with IE. Data on post-surgical sequelae in patients with IE and liver disease is lacking. Method We performed a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of all adult (age>18 years) admissions with a discharge diagnosis of acute or sub-acute IE using the 2016 National Inpatient Sample (NIS). IE patients undergoing valve replacement or repair were identified and divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of liver disease. Propensity score matching was performed to control for confounders such as diabetes, age, smoking among others. Odds of in-hospital mortality, cardiogenic shock, and acute kidney injury were calculated using multivariate logistic regression analysis. IE patients without liver disease undergoing valve surgery were selected as the reference population. Results We identified a total of 9,822 IE related admissions in the 2016 NIS. Amongst all IE admissions, 11.7% (n=1,158) had either valve replacement or repair surgery performed. After using propensity scores for 1 to 1 matching 16.8% of patients (n=195) who had concomitant liver disease were compared with 195 patients without liver disease. In-hospital mortality was significantly higher in patients with hepatic impairment (14.3% vs 0.51%, p=0.004). Patients with liver disease also had higher odds of concurrent cardiogenic shock (OR=9.35, 95% CI=3.01–29.15, p=0.001), acute kidney injury (OR=2.13, 95% CI=1.15–3.93, p=0.01), and thrombocytopenia (OR=2.29, 95% CI=1.13–4.61, p=0.02). Discussion The presence of liver disease in the setting of IE, in patients undergoing valvular surgery significantly increases the morbidity and mortality post-operatively. Functional status of the liver should be considered in addition to the commonly used tools for cardiac operative risk evaluation. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Clinical challenges associated with the endovascular treatment of acute stroke in a patient with infective endocarditis.

Although stroke is common in infective endocarditis (IE), only 26 cases of thrombectomy have been reported to date for IE-related acute stroke. We report a 40-year-old man who presented with left middle cerebral artery occlusion of unknown cause. Multiple attempts of mechanical aspiration thrombectomy and stentrievers failed to recanalize the artery. Effective revascularization was eventually achieved by placing a self-expanding intracranial stent. Post-procedurally the patient was diagnosed with IE with mitral valve insufficiency, mandating emergent valvular replacement while the patient was still on tirofiban infusion. On follow-up, the patient had a modified Rankin’s score of 0, had no recurrent stroke, and the intracranial stent remained patent yet stenosed. Based on the use of a self-expanding intracranial stent in the setting of IE, we discuss the consequences of the fibrotic and inflammatory content of the embolus and the associated high risk of intracranial hemorrhage which complicates clinical decision making.

ST segment elevation caused by ostial right coronary artery obstruction in infective endocarditis: a case report

BackgroundAcute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a rare, but serious complication of infective endocarditis, and diagnosis can be challenging given clinical overlap with other syndromes. A rare cause of ACS in infective endocarditis is mechanical obstruction of the coronary artery. We present the case of a patient with infective endocarditis who developed ST segment myocardial infarction due to occlusion of the right coronary artery ostium by a vegetation.Case presentationA 53-year-old female with no prior history of coronary artery disease was transferred to our tertiary care facility for evaluation and treatment of suspected myopericarditis. After transfer she developed inferior ST segment elevations on ECG along with fever and positive blood cultures for methicillin susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). A transesophageal echocardiogram revealed a vegetation on the aortic valve that intermittently prolapsed into the right coronary ostium. She decompensated from a hemorrhagic brain infarct and subsequently transferred to the intensive care unit. She underwent surgical aortic valve debridement without prior cardiac catheterization given the danger of septic coronary embolization. After a prolonged hospital course with multiple complications, she was able to discharge home, with no neurologic deficits on follow-up.ConclusionsACS presents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge in the setting of infective endocarditis. Careful attention to the history, physical exam and testing can help differentiate infective endocarditis from other conditions sharing similar symptoms. Traditional atherosclerotic ACS management may cause great harm when treating patients with infective endocarditis. The presence of a multidisciplinary endocarditis team is ideal to provide the best clinical outcomes for this population.

Three dimensional transesophageal echocardiography: a missing link in infective endocarditis imaging?

The role of two dimensional (2D) echocardiography (ECHO) for the diagnosis and clinical decision making in infective endocarditis (IE) has been extensively studied and described in the medical literature. Some reports have demonstrated the incremental value of three dimensional (3D) transesophageal (TE) ECHO in the setting of IE. However, a systematic review focusing on the role of 3D imaging is lacking. In this manuscript, we examine the role of 3D TE ECHO in the diagnosis of IE. IE is a challenging disease in which 2D transthoracic (TT) and TE ECHO have complementary roles and are unequivocally the mainstay of diagnostic imaging. Still, 2D imaging has important limitations. Technological advances in 3D imaging allow for the reconstruction of real-time anatomical images of cardiac structure and function. 3D imaging has emerged as a diagnostic technique that overcame some of the limitations of 2D ECHO. Currently, both transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography transducers are able to generate 3D images. However, 3D TE ECHO provides images of a higher quality in comparison to 3D TT ECHO, and is the best echocardiographic modality able to allow for a detailed anatomical imaging. 3D TE ECHO may represent the key adjunctive echocardiographic technique being able to positively impact on IE-related surgical planning and intervention and to facilitate the interaction between the surgeon and the imaging specialist. Importantly, 3D TE ECHO is not the recommended initial modality of choice for the diagnosis of IE; however, in highly specialized centers, it has become an important complementary technique when advanced surgical planning is required. Furthermore, anatomical imaging has become the link between the different techniques that play a role in IE imaging. In fact, both computed tomography and magnetic resonance allow three dimensional reconstruction. An important future goal should allow for the fusion among various imaging modalities. Our review highlights the role of 3D TE ECHO in IE imaging and emphasize where it offers incremental value.

P228 Mitral valve aneurysm in the context of post-infective endocarditis in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: an issue of inflammation or pressure gradients?

Abstract Mitral valve aneurysms (MVA) are uncommon and usually develop acutely in the setting of infective endocarditis (IE). We present a case report of a patient with a ruptured aneurysm of the mitral valve (MV) leaflet and obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), previously treated for IE. Echocardiography is essential for diagnosis, highlighting the importance of imaging for early identification and timely intervention. CASE REPORT 68-year-old male patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia was admitted to hospital with a 3-week history of malaise, fever and recent left-sided abdominal pain. No past relevant history. Physical examination revealed a grade II/VI systolic heart murmur at the cardiac apex, fever, abdominal tenderness in the left upper quadrant and purpuric lesions in the inferior limbs. Neutrophilia, CPR 211mg/L. Positive blood cultures for Staphylococcus aureus methicillin-sensitive. Spleen embolization, with no abcess on abdominal CT. Transthoracic (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) disclosed a highly mobile polypoid mass in the atrial side of the anterior MV leaflet, septal left ventricular hypertrophy and systolic anterior motion (SAM) of the MV. Mild mitral regurgitation (MR). No evidence of abcess, aneurysm or valve perforation. The diagnosis of IE was established and the patient completed 42 days of Flucloxaciline. Favorable clinical evolution, residual lesions on the MV. TTE and TEE were repeated on follow-up. Besides HCM and SAM of the MV, an aneurysm of the anterior leaflet of the MV was identified and two regurgitant jets: one due to incomplete coaptation of the leaflets; other through the perforated aneurysm. Mild global MR. A strategy of close follow-up was adopted. Beta blocker dose was increased. Maintenance of the characteristics of the aneurysm. DISCUSSION MVA are rare, with perforation and significant MR development as the most serious complications. They mostly develop in the acute setting of IE of the aortic valve (AV), due to the "jet lesion" from the regurgitant jet or direct extension of the infection. In this case, MVA developed as a late complication of IE of the MV. Previous infection and inflammation lead to increased susceptibility of the valve leaflet, with possible persistent chronic inflammation. In the setting of obstructive HCM, the lesioned endothelium is exposed to significant intraventricular pressure gradients, which have probably raised its propensity to bulge towards the atrium, resulting in aneurysm formation and perforation. Optimal approach to MVA has not been defined. If the setting of perforation with severe MR, surgery must be performed in order to avoid a fatal outcome. In small aneurysms with mild MR, a conservative approach seems reasonable. The purpose of this case is to highlight potential complications of IE, which should be actively investigated, with echocardiography playing a central role in the diagnosis and follow-up.

Incidence and Characteristics of Osteoarticular Infections in Patients With Infective Endocarditis.

Osteoarticular infections (OAIs) in the setting of infective endocarditis (IE) are uncommon. Although morbidity and mortality have been widely studied, details of the characteristics of patients with concurrent IE and OAI are limited. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the (1) incidence, (2) mortality, (3) clinical features, and (4) microbiological profiles of OAIs in the setting of IE. A retrospective review was conducted of 1280 IE cases at a large academic institution between 2009 and 2015. Patients were categorized according to the following OAI types: spondylodiskitis, large joint septic arthritis, other site infections, or multiple affected joints. Inpatient mortality rates, clinical findings, and microbiological characteristics were compared between OAI types. Overall, the incidence of OAI among IE patients was 6.8% (n=87). The in-hospital mortality rate was 9.2% (n=8) and was not significantly associated with OAI type (P=.801). Eighteen patients had multiple affected joints resulting in a total of 114 infected sites. Of these, 39% (n=44) were spondylodiskitis, 29% (n=33) were large joint septic arthritis, and 32% (n=37) were infections of smaller joints. Back pain was most common among patients with spondylodiskitis (P<.001), whereas fever and general fatigue were most common with septic arthritis (P<.001). Of the available bone/ joint cultures, 69% were positive. Overall, Staphylococcus aureus was the most common IE pathogen in patients with both IE and OAI (63%). Clinicians should maintain a high suspicion for OAI in patients with IE caused by Staphylococcus aureus, particularly spondylodiskitis among those presenting with back pain. [Orthopedics 2020; 43(1):24-29.].