Erwan Flecher

Pre- and postoperative tricuspid regurgitation in patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis: importance of pre-operative tricuspid annulus diameter

Aims Secondary tricuspid regurgitation (STR) is commonly found in patients with aortic stenosis and is associated with increased morbidity. The study sought to evaluate the prevalence of pre-operative STR and its progression after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) or transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). Also, it sought to analyse the predictors of post-operative changes in STR. Methods and results We prospectively evaluated 116 patients (aged 75.1 ± 9.8 years, predominantly male) who undergo SAVR or TAVI for severe aortic stenosis (AS) from September 2013 to April 2015. Patients with associated valve disease requiring intervention, significant coronary artery disease or left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <50% were excluded. Clinical and echocardiographic data, including TR grade and right ventricular (RV) size and function, were assessed at baseline and at the 1-year follow-up. At baseline, significant TR was documented in 13 patients (11.1%) and non-significant TR was documented in 103 patients (88.9%). Atrial fibrillation (AF) was more prevalent in patients with a tricuspid annulus diameter ≥40 mm (P < 0.0051). At the 1-year follow-up, the TR grade had improved in 17 patients (14.7%), was unchanged in 68 patients (58.6%) and had worsened in 31 patients (26.7%). Moderate to severe TR was found in 30 patients (25.8%). Tricuspid annulus diameter >40 mm was the only echocardiographic predictor of significant postoperative TR (relative risk (RR) = 2.12 [1.26-3.54], P = 0.004). Right heart function and size were not independent predictors. Conclusion Significant TR was present pre-operatively in 11.1% of patients. Post-operative progression was observed in 26.7% of patients. Only tricuspid annulus size >40 mm was an independent echocardiographic predictor of moderate to severe TR at the 1-year follow-up.

Should We Systematically Perform Central Nervous System Imaging in Patients with Whipple's Endocarditis?

BACKGROUND Whipples endocarditis is an uncommon disease, with approximately 100 cases reported to date. Case series suggest that Whipples endocarditis usually presents without extracardiac manifestations of Whipples disease. METHODS We report 4 consecutive cases of Whipples endocarditis associated with brain lesions. All patients fulfilled Duke Criteria for definite endocarditis. Whipples disease was diagnosed through 16S rRNA polymerase chain reaction assays on valves excised from patients with culture-negative endocarditis (n=3) or through polymerase chain reaction and periodic acid staining-positive foamy macrophages on duodenal biopsy (n=1). RESULTS All patients were male, aged 56 to 72 years. They presented with mitral (n=1), aortic (n=1), mitral and aortic (n=1), and tricuspid (n=1) endocarditis. Brain magnetic resonance imaging was performed because of mild-to-moderate cognitive disorders (n=3) or ataxia (n=1) and revealed multiple (n=3) or solitary (n=1) contrast-enhancing lesions. Cerebrospinal fluid studies revealed meningitis in 1 case. Polymerase chain reaction assays on cerebrospinal fluid were negative for all patients. All patients received intravenous ceftriaxone (2-4 weeks) associated with gentamicin (2 weeks), followed by 1 year of oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, with favorable outcomes. CONCLUSION Whipples associated central nervous system disease may be common but frequently undiagnosed, in patients with Whipples endocarditis. Because treatment is different when neurologic disease is present (ie, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole vs doxycycline/hydroxychloroquine), clinicians should consider brain imaging in patients diagnosed with Whipples endocarditis.

Should we fear tubing adsorption of antibacterial drugs in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation? An answer for cephalosporins and carbapenems

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) procedure used in the management of patients with cardiac and/or respiratory failure could modify drugs pharmacokinetics (PK) properties. Studying the impact of ECMO devices on drugs PK is warranted to optimize dosage and ensure clinical outcomes. We aimed to characterize the behavior of four cephalosporins and three carbapenems commonly used in an ECMO circuit with an in-vitro approach focusing on the coated tubing, support of the extracorporeal circulation. Results suggest that these antibiotics are not sequestrated by ECMO tubing. This pilot mechanistic study provides original data that will contribute to improve our understanding of the impact of ECMO on the PK of drugs commonly used in intensive care unit patients.

Predictors and prognostic impact of new left bundle branch block after surgical aortic valve replacement

BACKGROUND Left bundle branch block (LBBB) induces mechanical dyssynchrony that may lead to left ventricular systolic dysfunction. AIMS To evaluate the incidence, predictors and clinical impact of new LBBB in patients undergoing surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). METHODS After exclusion of patients with pre-existing LBBB, a previous pacemaker or a paced rhythm at hospital discharge, 547 consecutive patients undergoing SAVR were included. All-cause death, cardiovascular death and the combined outcome of all-cause death or a first heart failure event were assessed at 3months and 1year. Patients with and without new LBBB were compared. RESULTS New LBBB occurred in 4.6% of patients after SAVR (compared with 16.4% of patients treated by transcatheter aortic valve implantation during the study period). Previous valve surgery and an immediate postoperative paced rhythm were independent predictors of new LBBB. At 1-year follow-up, there were no significant differences in all-cause death, cardiovascular death, or the combined outcome of all-cause death or a first heart failure event between patients with and without new LBBB. However, new LBBB was associated with a trend towards functional deterioration and more heart failure events at 1year. CONCLUSION At 1-year follow-up, new LBBB did not have a significant impact on clinical outcome, but was associated with worse functional status and more heart failure events.