Wolfgang Ruschewski

Infective endocarditis in the elderly in the era of transesophageal echocardiography: Clinical features and prognosis compared with younger patients

PURPOSE Advanced age is considered to be associated with a more severe prognosis in infective endocarditis (IE), which is relevance in view of a change in epidemiology of the disease with an increasing proportion of elderly people. We wanted to examine whether in the era of improved diagnostic sensitivity for IE by transesophageal echocardiography the clinical course in elderly persons would be still more severe than in younger patients. PATIENTS During the period from 1989 to 1993, 104 patients with 106 episodes of IE were treated at our university hospital. Three groups were compared: group A with 28 patients younger than 50 years, group B with 58 patients aged 50 to 70, and group C with 20 patients older than 70. Transesophageal echocardiography was performed in 78% of the patients; it was not performed in 22% of the patients with a conclusive transthoracic examination. The patients were followed up for an average of 25 months after the diagnosis. RESULTS No significant differences were observed among the age groups with respect to the possible source of infection, the frequency of positive blood cultures, and the type of infective organisms. Elderly patients more often had predisposing valvular conditions (eg, degenerative and calcified lesions and prosthetic valves), which decreased the sensitivity of transthoracic echocardiography to 45% as compared with 75% in group A. Transesophageal echocardiography improved the diagnostic yield by 45% in group C and by 47% in group B. Vegetations were smaller in group C and B as compared with group A, whereas other echocardiographic characteristics were similar. Fever and leukocytosis were less frequent in group C (55% and 25%, respectively) than in group A (82% and 61%, respectively). The interval between the onset of symptoms and the diagnosis of IE was similar in all groups. Elderly patients underwent surgical therapy as frequently (65%) as the other groups. The 1-year survival in group C (26%) was comparable with that in group A (22%) and group B (22%). The major determinant of survival was the occurrence of embolic complications. CONCLUSION Infective endocarditis in elderly patients caused less severe clinical symptoms than in young patients. The early diagnosis in elderly patients was facilitated by the high sensitivity of transesophageal echocardiography, which enabled the timely initiation of an appropriate medical and surgical therapy. This led to a clinical outcome similar to that for younger patients.

Left cardiac sympathetic denervation for the management of life-threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmias in young patients with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia and long QT syndrome

BackgroundLeft cardiac sympathetic denervation (LCSD) may be a therapeutic adjunct for young patients with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) and long QT syndrome (LQTS) who are not fully protected by beta-blockade.ObjectiveThe objective of this analysis was to report our institutional experience with LSCD in young patients for the management of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias in CPVT and LQTS.MethodsTen young patients with CPVT and LQTS underwent transaxillary LSCD at our institution. Mean age at surgery was 14.0 (range 3.9–42) years, mean body weight was 45.7 (range 15.5–90) kg. Five patients had the clinical diagnosis of CPVT, three were genotype positive for a mutation in the ryanodine-receptor-2-gene. Four of five LQTS patients were genotype positive. Indications for LCSD were recurrent syncope, symptomatic episodes of ventricular tachycardias and/or internal cardioverter–defibrillator (ICD) discharges, and aborted cardiac arrest despite high doses of beta-blockers.ResultsLCSD was performed via the transaxillary approach. No significant complications were observed. Two patients already had an ICD, 6 patients received an ICD at the same operation or shortly thereafter. Median length of follow-up after LCSD was 2.3 (range 0.6–3.9) years. After LCSD a marked reduction in arrhythmia burden and cardiac events was observed in all patients while medication was continued. None of the patients had any further ICD discharge for sustained VT.ConclusionsAfter LCSD, arrhythmia burden could significantly be reduced in all our young patients with CPVT and LQTS.

Extracorporeal Circulation for Rewarming in Drowning and Near‐Drowning Pediatric Patients

Drowning and near-drowning is often associated with severe hypothermia requiring active core rewarming.We performed rewarming by cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB). Between 1987 and 2007, 13 children (9 boys and 4 girls) with accidental hypothermia were rewarmed by extracorporeal circulation (ECC) in our institution. The average age of the patients was 3.2 years. Resuscitation was started immediately upon the arrival of the rescue team and was continuously performed during the transportation.All patients were intubated and ventilated. Core temperature at admission ranged from 20 to 29°C (mean 25.3°C). Connection to the CPB was performed by thoracic (9 patients) or femoral/iliac means (4 patients). Restoration of circulation was achieved in 11 patients (84.6%). After CPB termination two patients needed an extracorporeal membrane oxygenation system due to severe pulmonary edema.Five patients were discharged from hospital after prolonged hospital stay. During follow-up, two patients died(10 and 15 months, respectively) of pulmonary complications and one patient was lost to follow-up. The two remaining survivors were without neurological deficit.Modes of rewarming, age, sex, rectal temperature, and serum electrolytes did not influence mortality. In conclusion,drowning and near-drowning with severe hypothermia remains a challenging emergency. Rewarming by ECC provides efficient rewarming and full circulatory support.Although nearly half of the children may survive after rewarming by ECC, long-term outcome is limited by pulmonary and neurological complications.

Immunohistochemical Characterization of Neotissues and Tissue Reactions to Septal Defect–Occlusion Devices

Background—We sought to evaluate tissue reactions within and at the surface of devices for interventional therapy of septal defects and to identify antigen characteristics of neotissues. Methods and Results—Atrial or ventricular septal defect–occlusion devices (Amplatzer, n=7; Cardioseal/Starflex, n=3) were processed using a uniform protocol after surgical removal from humans (implantation time, 5 days to 4 years). Devices were fixed in formalin and embedded in methylmethacrylate. Serial sections were obtained by sectioning with a diamond cutter and grinding, thus saving the metal/tissue interface for histologic evaluation. Immunohistochemical staining was performed using conventional protocols. Superficial endothelial cells stained positive for von Willebrand factor. Within the newly formed tissues, fibroblast-like cells were identified with a time-dependent expression of smooth muscle cell maturation markers (smooth muscle actin, smooth muscle myosin, h-caldesmon, and desmin) beside extracellular matrix components. Neovascularization of the newly formed tissues was demonstrated with the typical immunohistochemical pattern of capillaries and small vessels. Inflammatory cells could be identified as macrophages (CD68+) and both T-type and B-type lymphocytes (CD3+, CD79+). Conclusions—This is the first presentation of results from serial immunohistochemical staining of a collection of explanted human septal-occlusion devices. A time-dependent maturation pattern of the fibroblast-like cells in the neotissues around the implants could be described. Neoendothelialization was seen in all specimens with implantation times of 10 weeks or more. The time course of neoendothelialization, as seen in our study, further supports the clinical practice of anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy for 6 months after implantation. This time interval should be sufficient to prevent thromboembolic events due to thrombus formation at the foreign surface of cardiovascular implants.

Effects of therapeutic beta blockade on myocardial function and cardiac remodelling in congenital cardiac disease.

BACKGROUND Cardiac remodelling is now recognised as an important aspect of cardiovascular disease progression and is, therefore, emerging as a therapeutic target in cardiac failure due to different etiologies. Little is known about the influence of different therapies for cardiac failure on the remodelling seen in infants with congenital cardiac disease. METHODS During follow-up of a prospective and randomized trial, we investigated therapeutic effects on neurohormonal activation, ventricular function, and myocardial gene expression. We compared the data from 8 infants with severe congestive heart failure due to left-to-right shunts, who received digoxin and diuretics alone, to 9 infants who received additional treatment with propranolol. RESULTS In these infants, beta-adrenergic blockade significantly reduced highly elevated levels of renin, from 284 +/- 319 microU/ml compared to 1061 +/- 769 microU/ml. Systolic ventricular function was normal in both groups, but diastolic ventricular function was improved in those receiving propranolol, indicated by significantly lower left atrial pressures, lower end-diastolic pressures, and less pronounced ventricular hypertrophy, the latter estimated by lower ratios of myocardial wall to ventricular cavity areas on average of 42%. Further hemodynamic parameters showed no significant differences between the groups, except for the lower heart rate in infants treated with propranolol. In those treated with digoxin and diuretics, there was a significant downregulation of beta2-receptor and angiotensin-2 receptor genes, and up-regulation of endothelin A receptor and connective tissue growth factor genes, that were partially prevented by additional treatment with propranolol. CONCLUSIONS Beta-blockade is a new therapeutic approach for congestive heart failure in infants with congenital cardiac disease, producing with significant benefits on neurohormonal activation, diastolic ventricular function, and cardiac remodelling.

Indications for reoperation late after correction of tetralogy of Fallot.

OBJECTIVE Correction of tetralogy of Fallot has excellent long-term results. The present retrospective study investigates the indications for reoperation late after corrective surgery. METHODS Data from 914 consecutive cases who underwent correction of tetralogy of Fallot in our department between 1960 and 2002 were retrospectively reviewed and analysed. In 91 patients, a total of 102 reoperations were performed late after repair. RESULTS The mean time interval between corrective surgery and the first reoperation was 12.8 years. The main indication for reoperation was residual ventricular septal defect in nearly half of the cases, mostly isolated, but also in combination with a right ventricular outflow tract aneurysm or pulmonary stenosis. One-fourth of reoperated patients underwent a procedure on their pulmonary artery or pulmonary valve: replacement of pulmonary valve, replacement of primary implanted pulmonary artery conduits with or without concomitant surgery, and surgery for isolated peripheral pulmonary stenosis. The remaining indications were right ventricular outflow tract aneurysms and others. Aneurysms of the right ventricular outflow tract were seen mostly after the use of autologous - untreated - pericardial patch in 18 of 21 cases. CONCLUSION The number of reoperations for residual ventricular septal defect decreased during the study period. The primary use of conduits led to an increased number of reoperations for conduit exchange due to degeneration or failure. Use of an untreated autologous pericardial patch for enlargement of the right ventricular outflow tract should be avoided due to increased risk for aneurysm formation.

Pacemaker implantation as a risk factor for heart failure in young adults with congenital heart disease.

Aim: Complete postoperative heart block following open‐heart surgery and sinus node dysfunction are indications for permanent cardiac pacing in children with congenital heart defects. The purpose of our study was to evaluate if cardiac pacing is a risk factor of heart failure during longtime follow‐up of grown ups with congenital heart disease (GUCH).

β-Receptor downregulation in congenital heart disease: a risk factor for complications after surgical repair?

BACKGROUND Neurohormonal activation in children with heart failure due to congenital heart disease leads to downregulation of myocardial beta-receptors that may influence the postoperative course after cardiothoracic surgery. METHODS Myocardial biopsies of 26 children (aged 14+/-4 months) were obtained from the right atrium during cardiac surgery. Patients were allocated to either of two groups based on the duration of their intensive care unit stay: group 1 comprised those who stayed less than 7 days (n = 17), whereas group 2 comprised those who stayed more than 7 days, plus 3 infants who died during the early postoperative course (n = 9). For beta1- and beta2-mRNA quantitation, real-time polymerase chain reaction with fluorescence-labeled products was used. RESULTS Values for myocardial beta1-receptor gene expression were twice as high in group 1 children compared with group 2 (beta1-receptor 0.12+/-0.07 versus 0.06+/-0.03, p = 0.0016; beta2-receptor 0.12+/-0.07 versus 0.06+/-0.03, p = 0.0071). Beta-receptor gene expression in 16 children who received standard treatment for heart failure averaged lower than in the 10 children who received additional propranolol. CONCLUSIONS Beta-receptor downregulation due to congestive heart failure has an impact on the postoperative course in children with congenital disease and depends on heart failure therapy.

Monitoring of regional lung ventilation using electrical impedance tomography after cardiac surgery in infants and children.

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a noninvasive method to monitor regional lung ventilation in infants and children without using radiation. The objective of this prospective study was to determine the value of EIT as an additional monitoring tool to assess regional lung ventilation after pediatric cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease in infants and children. EIT monitoring was performed in a prospective study comprising 30 pediatric patients who were mechanically ventilated after cardiac surgery. Data were analyzed off-line with respect to regional lung ventilation in different clinical situations. EIT data were correlated with respirator settings and arterial carbon dioxide (CO2) partial pressure in the blood. In 29 of 30 patients, regional ventilation of the lung could sufficiently and reliably be monitored by means of EIT. The effects of the transition from mechanical ventilation to spontaneous breathing after extubation on regional lung ventilation were studied. After extubation, a significant decrease of relative impedance changes was evident. In addition, a negative correlation of arterial CO2 partial pressure and relative impedance changes could be shown. EIT was sufficient to discriminate differences of regional lung ventilation in children and adolescents after cardiac surgery. EIT reliably provided additional information on regional lung ventilation in children after cardiac surgery. Neither chest tubes nor pacemaker wires nor the intensive care unit environment interfered with the application of EIT. EIT therefore may be used as an additional real-time monitoring tool in pediatric cardiac intensive care because it is noninvasive.

Implantation of an "extracardiac" internal cardioverter defibrillator in a 6-month-old infant.

Bei Säuglingen und Kleinkindern ist die ICD-Implantation aufgrund technischer Limitationen und einer hohen Komplikationsrate weiterhin eine Herausforderung. Dieser Fallbericht beschreibt die ICD-Implantation bei einem 6-Monate alten Säugling (Körpergewicht 5,5 kg). Ein komplett extrakardiales Defibrillatorsystem wurde implantiert. Dieses bestand aus einer transvenösen Elektrode als Defibrillatorelektrode, die subkutan entlang der 6. Rippe subscapulär auf den Rücken bis zur Wirbelsäule vorgeschoben wurde. Der Generator wurde als “active can“ im rechten oberen Abdomen eingebracht. Die Defibrillationsschwelle war ≤10 Joule bei der Implantation. Während einer Nachbeobachtungszeit von 3 Monaten erfolgten 8 adäquate Entladungen. Die beschriebene Technik macht die ICD-Implantation bei Säuglingen möglich. In infants and small children, ICD implantation is a challenge due to technical limitations and a significant number of complications. This report describes ICD implantation in a 6-month-old infant (body weight 5.5 kg). A completely extracardiac defibrillation system was implanted using a transvenous lead subcutaneously in the back below the left scapula as the defibrillation electrode and an active-can device in the right upper abdomen. Defibrillation threshold of implantation was ≤10 J. During the follow-up of 3 months, 8 adequate ICD discharges were noted. The technique described seems feasible to facilitate ICD implantation in small infants.