Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Shaofeng Wu, Xin Wang, Weidong Ren, Guang Song, Yang Hou, Haidi Hu, Xiaona Yu
Summary: This article reports a rare and dangerous complication of prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) following Bentall surgery, with involvement of multiple valves simultaneously during the early postoperative period. Echocardiography revealed large, mobile vegetations on both the prosthetic aortic valve and native tricuspid valve. Blood cultures confirmed the presence of Staphylococcus epidermidis infection. Due to the recent aortic valve replacement, surgery was not performed. However, the patient developed acute right femoral artery thromboembolism, multiple cerebral infarction, and splenic infarction during hospitalization, leading to death from cerebral infarction after discharge. This case highlights the poor prognosis and the risk of fatal systemic embolism in patients with early PVE, especially when large vegetations are present with symptoms such as dyskinesia, abdominal pain, and limb numbness. Timely echocardiography and vascular ultrasound are essential diagnostic methods in this scenario.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Juan A. Quintero-Martinez, Joya-Rita Hindy, Said El Zein, Hector Michelena, Vuyisile T. Nkomo, Daniel C. DeSimone, Larry M. Baddour
Summary: This contemporary review of non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) found that the disease is more prevalent in females and patients with poor prognosis, especially those with lung cancer or metastatic tumors.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Dalila Sacic, Olga Petrovic, Danijela Zamaklar-Trifunovic, Branislava Ivanovic
Summary: In this case report, we present a 47-year-old female patient with right-sided cardiac device-related infective endocarditis of the pacemaker leads, primarily in the right atrium and right ventricle, with vegetations and complicated by pulmonary embolism. The patient had a history of pacemaker implantation and was later diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus, receiving immunosuppressive therapy. Prolonged intravenous antibiotic treatment was initiated, and both the atrial and ventricular leads were removed, along with posterior leaflet shaving of the tricuspid valve.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Amir A. Mahabadi, Ihab Mahmoud, Iryna Dykun, Matthias Totzeck, Peter-Michael Rath, Arjang Ruhparwar, Jan Buer, Tienush Rassaf
Summary: The study aimed to determine whether relevant comorbidities can improve the diagnostic accuracy of patients with IE. It was found that patients with IE had a higher frequency of positive blood cultures, embolic diseases, heart murmurs, and intensive care therapy.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ana Petkovic, Nemanja Menkovic, Olga Petrovic, Ilija Bilbija, Nikola N. Radovanovic, Dejana Stanisavljevic, Svetozar Putnik, Ruzica Maksimovic, Branislava Ivanovic
Summary: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a rare disease with a high mortality rate and rising incidence, and timely diagnosis is crucial for appropriate therapy. Imaging tests, such as echocardiography and cardiac computed tomography (CCT), play an important role in diagnosing IE. The joint application of these tests improves the overall sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing IE.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Peihan Xie, Xiaodong Zhuang, Menghui Liu, Shaozhao Zhang, Jia Liu, Donghong Liu, Xinxue Liao
Summary: A total of 9 guidelines were identified for the appropriate use of echo in adult IE patients, with AGREE II scores ranging from 36 to 79%, and stakeholder involvement domain receiving the lowest score. The most controversial issue is whether follow-up TEE is necessary in uncomplicated native valve IE with initial positive TTE, with conflicting recommendations based on limited evidence.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Editorial Material
Medicine, General & Internal
Gaetano Todde, Paola Gargiulo, Grazia Canciello, Felice Borrelli, Emanuele Pilato, Giovanni Esposito, Maria Angela Losi
Summary: Cardiac surgery is necessary in patients with endocarditis, especially in certain cases. Strict echocardiographic surveillance is indispensable for patients not requiring emergency surgery.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Mark T. Mills, Abdallah Al-Mohammad, David R. Warriner
Summary: This article reviews the latest research and guidelines on the assessment and management of infective endocarditis, covering the epidemiology, imaging, diagnostic criteria, antimicrobial treatment, surgical management, as well as the role of a multidisciplinary approach.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF HOSPITAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Letter
Hematology
Fernando Scudiero, Angelo Silverio, Marco Di Maio, Vincenzo Russo, Rodolfo Citro, Davide Personeni, Andrea Cafro, Antonello D'Andrea, Emilio Attena, Salvatore Pezzullo, Mario Enrico Canonico, Gennaro Galasso, Antonino Piti, Guido Parodi
Summary: PE is a relatively common complication in COVID-19, associated with longer time since symptom onset, higher D-dimers levels, and myocardial injury. TAPSE and sPAP are independently associated with the occurrence of PE in COVID-19 patients. PE patients have higher mortality rates and risk of cardiogenic shock.
THROMBOSIS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Giovanni Romito, Alessia Diana, Antonella Rigillo, Maria Morini, Mario Cipone
Summary: This case report highlights the coexistence of multiple uncommon complications of aortic valve infective endocarditis in a dog, including aorto-cavitary fistula, tricuspid valve endocarditis, and third-degree atrioventricular block. The ante mortem and post mortem findings provided detailed information on the disease process and its atypical complications. The dynamic nature of this condition in dogs may lead to the development of complex and uncommon echocardiographic features.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Bartosz Karolak, Michal Ciurzynski, Marta Skowronska, Katarzyna Kurnicka, Magdalena Plywaczewska, Aleksandra Furdyna, Katarzyna Perzanowska-Brzeszkiewicz, Barbara Lichodziejewska, Szymon Pacho, Michal Machowski, Piotr Bienias, Malgorzata Wisniewska, Marek Golebiowski, Piotr Pruszczyk
Summary: In the NOAC era, most low-risk acute pulmonary embolism (APE) patients can be treated at home, but identifying those at very low risk of clinical deterioration may be challenging. This study aimed to propose a risk stratification algorithm for sPESI 0 point APE patients, allowing them to select candidates for safe outpatient treatment.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Rosa Zampino, Domenico Iossa, Maria Paola Ursi, Lorenzo Bertolino, Arta Karruli, Rosa Molaro, Gennaro Esposito, Martina Vitrone, Fabiana D'Amico, Rosina Albisinni, Emanuele Durante-Mangoni
Summary: Elevated D-dimers and prolonged PT-INR were associated with increased in-hospital mortality in IE patients, while prolonged aPTT was linked to higher 1-year mortality. Factors like S. aureus infection, PVE, surgical indication, and high D-dimer levels were independent predictors of in-hospital mortality in IE.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Thomas W. van der Vaart, Jan M. Prins, Robin Soetekouw, Gitte van Twillert, Jan Veenstra, Bjorn L. Herpers, Wouter Rozemeijer, Rogier R. Jansen, Marc J. M. Bonten, Jan T. M. van der Meer
Summary: In patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia, the VIRSTA score can effectively rule out endocarditis, but it may result in more patients being classified as high risk and requiring transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). The accuracy of the POSITIVE and PREDICT scores needs adjustment.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Manuel Urina-Jassir, Maria Alejandra Jaimes-Reyes, Samuel Martinez-Vernaza, Camilo Quiroga-Vergara, Miguel Urina-Triana
Summary: This study provides a systematic review of the clinical, microbiological, and imaging characteristics of patients with infective endocarditis (IE) in Latin America. The results show that IE in Latin America mainly affects male patients, with clinical manifestations including fever, malaise, and heart murmur. Staphylococcus aureus and the viridans group streptococci are the most common isolates.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Kristians Meidrops, Franziska Johanna Burkhardt, Janis Davis Osipovs, Eva Petrosina, Valerija Groma, Peteris Stradins
Summary: This study investigated the etiology, risk factors, and outcomes of infective endocarditis caused by different bacterial agents. The results showed that Staphylococcus aureus was the most common causative agent, and bicuspid aortic valve and intravenous drug usage were common predisposing factors. S. aureus was associated with worsening long-term prognosis and higher rates of embolic complications.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)