Eduardo Villacorta

Age-Dependent Profile of Left-Sided Infective Endocarditis A 3-Center Experience

Background— The influence of age on the main epidemiological, clinical, echocardiographic, microbiological, and prognostic features of patients with infective endocarditis remains unknown. We present the series with the largest numbers and range of ages of subjects to date that analyzes the influence of age on the main characteristics of patients with isolated left-sided infective endocarditis. Furthermore, this series is the first one in which patients have been distributed according to age quartile. Methods and Results— A total of 600 episodes of left-sided endocarditis consecutively diagnosed in 3 tertiary centers were stratified into age-specific quartiles and 107 variables compared between the different groups. With increasing age, the percentage of women, previous heart disease, predisposing disease (diabetes mellitus and cancer), and infection by enterococci and Streptococcus bovis also increased. Valvular insufficiency and perforation and Staphylococcus aureus infection were more common in younger patients. The therapeutic approach differed depending on patient age because of the growing proportion of older patients who only received medical treatment. Clinical course and hospital prognosis were worse in the older patients because of increased surgical mortality among them. Conclusions— Increasing age is associated with less valvular impairment (insufficiency and perforation), a more favorable microbiological profile, and increased surgical mortality among adults with left-sided infective endocarditis.

Association between self-replicating calcifying nanoparticles and aortic stenosis: a possible link to valve calcification.

AIMS Among various hypotheses proposed for pathological tissue calcification, recent evidence supports the possibility that self-replicating calcifying nanoparticles (CNPs) can contribute to such calcification. These CNPs have been detected and isolated from calcified human tissues, including blood vessels and kidney stones, and are referred to as nanobacteria. We evaluated calcific aortic valves for the presence of CNP. METHODS AND RESULTS Calcific aortic valves were obtained from 75 patients undergoing surgical valve replacement. The control group was formed by eight aortic valves corresponding to patients with heart transplants. In the microbiology laboratory, valves were screened for CNP using a 4-6 weeks specific culture method. The culture for CNP was positive in 48 of the 75 valves with aortic stenosis (64.0%) in comparison with zero of eight (0%) for the control group (P = 0.0005). The observation of cultures by way of scanning electron microscopy highlighted the resemblance in size and morphology of CNP. CONCLUSION Self-replicating calcific nanometer-scale particles, similar to those described as CNP from other calcific human tissues, can be cultured and visualized from calcific human aortic valves. This finding raises the question as to whether CNP contribute to the pathogenesis of the disease or whether they are only innocent bystanders.

Rationale, design, and methods for the early surgery in infective endocarditis study (ENDOVAL 1): A multicenter, prospective, randomized trial comparing the state-of-the-art therapeutic strategy versus early surgery strategy in infective endocarditis

BACKGROUND The prognosis of infective endocarditis is poor and has remained steady over the last 4 decades. Several nonrandomized studies suggest that early surgery could improve prognosis. METHODS ENDOVAL 1 is a multicenter, prospective, randomized study designed to compare the state-of-the-art therapeutic strategy (advised by the international societies in their guidelines) with the early-surgery strategy in high-risk patients with infective endocarditis. Patients with infective endocarditis without indication for surgery will be included if they meet at least one of the following: (1) early-onset prosthetic endocarditis; (2) Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis; (3) periannular complications; (4) new-onset conduction abnormalities; (5) new-onset severe valvular dysfunction. A total of 216 patients will be randomized to either of the 2 strategies. Stratification will be done within 3 days of admission. In the early surgery arm, the surgical procedure will be performed within 48 hours of randomization. The only event to be considered will be death within 30 days. The study will be extended to 1 year. In the follow-up substudy, death and a new episode of endocarditis will be regarded as events. CONCLUSION ENDOVAL 1, the first randomized study on endocarditis, will provide crucial information regarding the putative benefit of early surgery over the state-of-the-art therapeutic approach in high-risk patients with infective endocarditis.

Isolated Right-Sided Valvular Endocarditis in Non-Intravenous Drug Users

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Characteristics of isolated right-sided endocarditis in patients without a pacemaker and who are not intravenous drug users (IVDU) are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the current frequency of this entity and describe its clinical, microbiological, echocardiographic and prognostic profile. METHODS We have prospectively analyzed 17 consecutive cases of isolated right-sided endocarditis in non-IVDU who did not have a pacemaker, out of a total of 583 consecutive episodes of endocarditis (2.9%). RESULTS Mean age was 38+/-15 years; 11 of the 17 patients were men. Almost half of the patients had at least one predisposing disease. An intravascular catheter was the most frequent port of entry (35%). The most common signs and symptoms on admission were fever, dyspnea, septic pulmonary embolisms, pleural effusion and right-sided heart failure. The most frequent microorganism was Staphylococcus aureus (41%). In most cases (82%) the infection was located in the tricuspid valve. Recurrent pulmonary embolisms were the most frequent complication and the main cause for surgery, which was needed in 5 patients (29%). Two patients died during hospitalization (12%), both from septic shock. During follow-up one patient died of unknown causes 1 month after discharge, and other relapsed 3 months after discharge. CONCLUSIONS Isolated right-sided endocarditis should be included in the differential diagnosis of patients with febrile syndrome, respiratory symptoms and predisposing disease, even when they do not have a pacemaker and are not IVDU. The presence of intravascular catheters and Staphylococcus bacteriemia should heighten suspicion of endocarditis.

Variabilidad inter e intraobservador en la valoración ecocardiográfica de la función del ventrículo derecho

Introduccion y objetivos La valoracion ecocardiografica de la funcion sistolica ventricular derecha es actualmente una cuestion pendiente de resolver, dadas las peculiaridades anatomicas del ventriculo derecho. Se han desarrollado diversos metodos para su calculo. El objetivo del presente estudio es determinar la fiabilidad y reproducibilidad de diferentes parametros ecocardiograficos estudiando su variabilidad inter e intraobservador. Metodos Se incluyeron 30 pacientes con valvulopatia mitral aislada candidatos a cirugia cardiaca. Se realizo un ecocardiograma a todos los pacientes por dos investigadores de forma independiente en un periodo de 24 h. El analisis intraobservador se obtuvo a partir del primer mes desde imagenes grabadas. Los parametros utilizados fueron la TAPSE (elevacion sistolica del plano del anillo tricuspideo), la velocidad pico sistolica del anillo tricuspideo por Doppler tisular, la fraccion de acortamiento del tracto de salida ventricular derecho, la fraccion de acortamiento de los diametros del ventriculo derecho y la fraccion de acortamiento de las areas del ventriculo derecho. La variabilidad fue analizada mediante el coeficiente de correlacion intraclase. Resultados La fuerza de concordancia de la TAPSE y la velocidad pico del anillo tricuspideo es buena en el analisis interobservador y excelente en el analisis intraobservador. Sin embargo, la fraccion de acortamiento del tracto de salida, de las areas y de los diametros muestran una pobre concordancia en el analisis inter e intraobservador Conclusiones Las medidas ecocardiograficas mas fiables y reproducibles en la valoracion de la funcion sistolica ventricular derecha en pacientes con valvulopatia mitral aislada son la TAPSE y la velocidad pico del anillo tricuspideo.

Endocarditis derecha aislada en pacientes no adictos a drogas por vía parenteral

Introduccion y objetivos La endocarditis derecha aislada es una entidad poco conocida cuando afecta a pacientes no portadores de marcapasos y no adictos a drogas por via parenteral (ADVP). Nuestro objetivo es estudiar la frecuencia actual de esta entidad y describir su perfil clinico, microbiologico, ecocardiografico y pronostico. Metodos Hemos analizado 17 casos de endocarditis derecha aislada en pacientes no ADVP y no portadores de marcapasos, de un total de 583 episodios consecutivamente diagnosticados de endocarditis infecciosa (3%). Resultados La media de edad fue 38 ± 15 anos y 11 pacientes eran varones. El 47% de los pacientes presentaban alguna enfermedad predisponente. El cateter intravascular fue la puerta de entrada mas frecuente (35%). Los sintomas y signos mas comunes al ingreso fueron fiebre, disnea, embolia pulmonar septica, derrame pleural e insuficiencia cardiaca derecha. El microorganismo mas frecuente fue Staphylococcus aureus (41%). La mayoria de los casos asentaron en la valvula tricuspide (82%). La embolia pulmonar recurrente fue la complicacion mas frecuente y la principal causa de cirugia, que fue precisa en 5 (29%) casos. Fallecieron 2 (12%) pacientes, ambos por shock septico. En el seguimiento, 1 paciente fallecio al mes del alta por causa desconocida y 1 presento una recaida al tercer mes. Conclusiones La endocarditis derecha aislada debe incluirse en el diagnostico diferencial de pacientes con sindrome febril, sintomas respiratorios y alguna enfermedad predisponente, aunque no sean portadores de marcapasos o ADVP. La presencia de cateteres intravasculares y la bacteriemia por estafilococos refuerzan la sospecha de endocarditis en estos pacientes.

Inter- and Intra-Observer Variability in the Echocardiographic Evaluation of Right Ventricular Function

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Echocardiographic evaluation of right ventricular systolic function remains subject to debate because of the anatomic peculiarities of the right ventricle. Several methods have been developed for quantifying right ventricular systolic function. The aim of this study was to determine the reliability and reproducibility of a number of echocardiographic parameters by evaluating their inter-observer and intra-observer variability. METHODS The study included 30 patients with isolated mitral valvulopathy scheduled for heart surgery. All underwent echocardiography, which was performed independently by two echocardiographers within 24 hours. The intra-observer analysis was carried out using the recorded images at least 1 month after they had been obtained. The parameters studied were the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), the tricuspid annular peak systolic velocity on tissue Doppler imaging, right ventricular outflow tract fractional shortening, fractional shortening of right ventricular diameters, and fractional shortening of right ventricular areas. Variability was analyzed using the intraclass correlation coefficient. RESULTS The degree of concordance on TAPSE and tricuspid annular peak systolic velocity measurement was good in the inter-observer analysis and excellent in the intra-observer analysis. However, concordance was poor on measurements of the fractional shortening of the right ventricular outflow tract, areas and diameters on both inter-observer and intra-observer analyses. CONCLUSIONS The most reliable and reproducible echocardiographic parameters for evaluating right ventricular systolic function in patients with isolated mitral valvulopathy were the TAPSE and the tricuspid annular peak systolic velocity.

The Cardiomyopathy Registry of the EURObservational Research Programme of the European Society of Cardiology: baseline data and contemporary management of adult patients with cardiomyopathies

Aims The Cardiomyopathy Registry of the EURObservational Research Programme is a prospective, observational, and multinational registry of consecutive patients with four cardiomyopathy subtypes: hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), and restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM). We report the baseline characteristics and management of adults enrolled in the registry. Methods and results A total of 3208 patients were enrolled by 69 centres in 18 countries [HCM (n = 1739); DCM (n = 1260); ARVC (n = 143); and RCM (n = 66)]. Differences between cardiomyopathy subtypes (P < 0.001) were observed for age at diagnosis, history of familial disease, history of sustained ventricular arrhythmia, use of magnetic resonance imaging or genetic testing, and implantation of defibrillators. When compared with probands, relatives had a lower age at diagnosis (P < 0.001), but a similar rate of symptoms and defibrillators. When compared with the Long-Term phase, patients of the Pilot phase (enrolled in more expert centres) had a more frequent rate of familial disease (P < 0.001), were more frequently diagnosed with a rare underlying disease (P < 0.001), and more frequently implanted with a defibrillator (P = 0.023). Comparing four geographical areas, patients from Southern Europe had a familial disease more frequently (P < 0.001), were more frequently diagnosed in the context of a family screening (P < 0.001), and more frequently diagnosed with a rare underlying disease (P < 0.001). Conclusion By providing contemporary observational data on characteristics and management of patients with cardiomyopathies, the registry provides a platform for the evaluation of guideline implementation. Potential gaps with existing recommendations are discussed as well as some suggestions for improvement of health care provision in Europe.

Relationship between C-Reactive Protein and the Electrocardiographic Pattern on Admission in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome

Background: In patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), the prevalence of a primary inflammatory pathogenic component of coronary instability, as detectable by elevated C-reactive protein (CRP), varies considerably. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of inflammation in patients with ACS according to the different electrocardiographic (ECG) patterns on admission. Methods: Hundred and thirty-six consecutive patients with the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction were divided in three groups according to the ECG pattern on admission. Group 1 included 59 patients with ST segment elevation, group 2 included 50 patients with ST depression and/or T wave inversion and group 3 included 27 patients with no ECG changes. CRP was measured on admission in all patients. For the prevalence of inflammation analysis, we used a cutoff value of 3 mg/l. Results: CRP was above cutpoint significantly more often in patients with ST depression and/or T wave inversion (44.1% in group 1, 70% in group 2 and 40.7% in group 3; p = 0.009). Patients with similar ECG pattern and CRP levels above the cutpoint presented a poorer outcome (coronary death, myocardial infarction and recurrence of instability) at one-year follow-up: 54 versus 27% for group 1, 74 versus 27% for group 2 and 45 versus 31% for group 3. Conclusions: Patients with ST depression and/or T wave inversion on admission exhibit a higher prevalence of elevated CRP than those with ST elevation or no ECG changes, suggesting an important heterogeneity of the role of inflammatory triggers of the clinical syndromes of coronary instability.

Percutaneous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in electrical storm: five case reports addressing efficacy, transferring allowance or radiofrequency ablation support:

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation systems have undergone rapid technological improvements and are now feasible options for medium-term support of severe cardiac or pulmonary failure. We report five cases of electrical storm that was rescued by the insertion of peripheral veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation systems. This device could help to restore systemic circulation as well as permitting organ perfusion in patients with cardiogenic shock in relation to electrical storm thus achieving greater electrical stability. Also, in some cases extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support could facilitate electrophysiology study.