Fungal periprosthetic joint infection: Rare but challenging problem / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is the most difficult complication following total joint arthroplasty. Most of the etiological strains, accounting for over 98% of PJI, are bacterial species, with Staphylococcusaureus and Coagulase-negative staphylococci present in between 50% and 60% of all PJIs. Fungi, though rare, can also cause PJI in 1%-2% of cases and can be challenging to manage. The management of this uncommon but complex condition is challenging due to the absence of a consistent algorithm. Diagnosis of fungal PJI is difficult as isolation of the organisms by traditional culture may take a long time, and some of the culture-negative PJI can be caused by fungal organisms. In recent years, the introduction of next-generation sequencing has provided opportunity for isolation of the infective organisms in culture-negative PJI cases. The suggested treatment is based on consensus and includes operative and non-operative measures. Two-stage revision surgery is the most reliable surgical option for chronic PJI caused by fungi. Pharmacological therapy with antifungal agents is required for a long period of time with antibiotics and included to cover superinfections with bacterial species. The aim of this review article is to report the most up-to-date information on the diagnosis and treatment of fungal PJI with the intention of providing clear guidance to clinicians, researchers and surgeons.

Mixed bacterial-fungal infection following total hip arthroplasty: A case report / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

Prosthetic infection is one of the severe postoperative complications of arthroplasty. Mixed bacterial-fungal prosthetic infection is rare but can be disastrous. This case was a 76-year-old female suffered from prosthetic infection following total hip replacement due to femoral neck fracture and underwent multiple debridements. The culture of periprosthetic tissue was bacteriologically sterile following the first debridement, while the Staphylococcus hominis was identified in the second debridement in the previous hospitalization where fungal infection had not been considered. Thus the pathogen spectrum of anti-infection therapy failed to contain fungus. Ultimately, the culture result of our sampled periprosthetic tissue during the third debridement was Candida albicans without bacterium in our hospital. The fungal prosthetic infection was successfully treated by a two-stage revision with antifungal drugs. Accurate diagnosis and standardized treatment is the key to the therapy of infection after hip arthroplasty, especially for mixed bacterial-fungal prosthetic infection.

Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of prosthetic joint infection / 中华外科杂志

Prosthetic joint infection is one of the most serious complications after artificial joint replacement.Accurate diagnosis and proper standardized treatment are the keys to improve the cure rate of prosthetic joint infection,reduce the rate of recurrence and disability,and restore limb function.Regarding the diagnosis and treatment of prosthetic joint infection,although relevant research has progressed rapidly in recent years,there are still many problems that have not been well understood and explained,and there are still big differences and controversies in many aspects.This has brought a lot of confusion to clinicians during their daily practice.In order to make the diagnosis and treatment of prosthetic joint infection in China more standardized,a group of domestic experts in related fields was organized by the Joint Surgery Committee of the Chinese Orthopaedic Association to search the literature and integrate expert opinions,and compiled the "Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of prosthetic joint infection".Those most important and clinically concerned issues are elaborated,including the diagnostic criteria, standardized diagnostic algorithm,proper application of important tests,treatment principles,and the correct selection of various treatment options.Targeted and actionable recommendations are proposed.This guideline is expected to provide references for domestic colleagues in the diagnosis and treatment of prosthetic joint infection.

Láser Er:YAG en el tratamiento de la periimplantitis: revisión de la literatura / Erbium:YAG laser in the treatment of peri-implantitis: a literature review

RESUMEN: La presente revisión bibliográfica describe la efectividad del uso del láser Er:YAG en los últimos 10 años, con el objetivo de esclarecer cuáles han sido sus efectos clínicos, sus efectos microbiológicos, sus efectos físicos y térmicos en la superficie del implante, su efecto en la biocompatibilidad y el tiempo de trabajo requerido. Se efectuó la búsqueda en la base de datos PubMed, seleccionando investigaciones publicadas entre los años 2005 y 2015. Se seleccionaron 14 investigaciones in vitro, un estudio en animales, un reporte de casos, 6 series de casos, 2 estudios clínicos controlados, 4 estudios clínicos controlados aleatorizados y 5 revisiones bibliográficas. La literatura disponible señala que el uso del láser Er:YAG en el tratamiento de la periimplantitis produce una mejoría clínica, expresada en una disminución del sangrado al sondaje, una disminución en la profundidad de sondaje y una ganancia de inserción que se limita a los primeros 6 meses luego del tratamiento. En relación con la descontaminación de la superficie del implante, la mayoría de los estudios reporta una disminución en el número de bacterias adheridas. Para no causar daños físicos y térmicos es necesario utilizar el láser Er:YAG en distintos niveles de energía, de frecuencia y de tiempo de exposición según el tipo de superficie del implante afectado. Respecto a la biocompatibilidad de la superfice existen aún resultados contradictorios. Las investigaciones coinciden en que el tratamiento con láser Er:YAG supone un menor tiempo de trabajo en comparación con terapias convencionales.

ABSTRACT: A literature review is presented on the effectiveness of the use of the erbium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Er:YAG) laser over the past 10 years, with the objective of clarifying its clinical, microbiological, physical, and thermal effects on the implant surface, as well as its effect on the biocompatibility and work time required. A search was conducted in PubMed database, selecting studies published between 2005 and 2015. A total of 14 in vitro studies were selected, including one animal study, one case report, six case series, two controlled clinical trials, four randomised controlled trials, and five literature reviews. The literature shows that the use of Er:YAG laser in the treatment of peri-implantitis leads to a clinical improvement, expressed as a decrease in bleeding on probing, a reduction in probing depth, and a clinical attachment gain, that is limited to the first six months after treatment. As regards decontamination of the implant surface, most studies report a decrease in the number of attached bacteria. To avoid physical and thermal damage, the Er:YAG laser must be used at different energy levels, frequency, and exposure times, according to the type of surface of the implant affected. There are still conflicting results as regards the biocompatibility of the surface. Studies agree that treatment with Er:YAG laser leads to less operating time compared to conventional therapies.

Tratamento de infecção após artroplastia total de joelho / Treatment of infection after total knee arthroplasty

Objetivos: Comparar as taxas de sucesso das modalidadesterapêuticas utilizadas no tratamento de infecções associadas aartroplastia total de joelho (ATJ), e avaliar o desfecho funcionale de dor nas modalidades por meio de escores de qualidadede vida. Métodos: Avaliamos todos os indivíduos que desenvolveraminfecção após ATJ em nosso serviço, entre 1º de janeirode 2008 e 31 de dezembro de 2010. Resultados: Neste período,29 pacientes com ATJ tiveram infecção, e 12 deles foram submetidosa desbridamento e retenção da prótese (D+R), sete acirurgia de troca da prótese em dois estágios, seis a cirurgia emum estágio, e quatro receberam terapia antibiótica supressivapor não poderem ser submetidos a nova cirurgia. Conclusão: Astaxas de sucesso de D+R, da revisão em um, e em dois está-gios foi de 75%, 83,3% e 100%, respectivamente. Os melhoresresultados referente à qualidade de vida e função ocorreramnos pacientes submetidos a D+R. Em contraste, os piores resultadosforam observados em pacientes tratados com cirurgiade revisão em dois estágios. Nível de Evidência II, EstudosPrognósticos- Investigação do Efeito de Característica deum Paciente Sobre o Desfecho da Doença.

Objectives: To identify and compare the rate of success of therapeuticmodalities applied in surgeries for the treatment of infectionsassociated with total knee arthroplasty (TKA), and to evaluate thefunctional outcome and pain in different therapeutic modalities bymeans of quality of life scores. Methods: We evaluated all patientswho developed periprosthetic infection after TKA for primary orsecondary osteoarthritis, in the period from January 1st, 2008 toDecember 31st, 2010. Results: In the study period, 29 patients withTKA had infection, and 12 of these underwent debridement andretention of the prosthesis (D+R), seven received two-stage and sixone-stage exchange arthroplasties, and four patients were treatedwith suppressive antibiotic therapy because they could not undergoanother surgical procedure. Conclusion: The D+R , one-stagerevision and two-stage revision success rates were 75%, 83.3%,and 100%, respectively. The best results of quality of life (QoL) andfunction occur in patients undergoing D+R. In contrast, the worstQoL and functional results were obtained in patients treated withtwo-stage revision arthroplasty. Level of Evidence II, PrognosticStudies - Investigating the Effect of a Patient Characteristicon the Outcome of Disease.

Revision of Infected Total Knee Arthroplasty: Two-Stage Reimplantation Using an Antibiotic-Impregnated Static Spacer

BACKGROUND: A two-stage revision remains as the "gold standard" treatment for chronically infected total knee arthroplasties. METHODS: Forty-five septic knee prostheses were revised with a minimum follow-up of 5 years. Static antibiotic-impregnated cement spacers were used in all cases. Intravenous antibiotics according to sensitivity test of the culture were applied during patients' hospital stay. Oral antibiotics were given for another 5 weeks. Second-stage surgery was undertaken after control of infection with normal erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein values. Extensile techniques were used if needed and metallic augments were employed for bone loss in 32 femoral and 29 tibial revisions. RESULTS: The average interval between the first-stage resection and reimplantation was 4.4 months. Significant improvement was obtained with respect to visual analog scale pain and clinical and functional scores, and infection was eradicated in 95.6% of cases following a two-stage revision total knee arthroplasty. Radiographic evaluation showed suitable alignment without signs of mechanical loosening. CONCLUSIONS: This technique is a reasonable procedure to eradicate chronic infection in knee arthroplasty and provides proper functional and clinical results. However, it sometimes requires extensile surgical approaches that could imply arduous surgeries. Metallic augments with cementless stems available in most of the knee revision systems are a suitable alternative to handle bone deficiencies, avoiding the use of bone allografts with its complications.

Biofilme em marca-passo artificial: ficção ou realidade? / Biofilm on artificial pacemaker: fiction or reality? / Biofilm en marcapaso artificial: ¿ ficción o realidad?

A estimulação cardíaca artificial por meio de marca-passo cardíaco representa uma das alternativas mais promissoras no tratamento das arritmias, entretanto pode ocasionar reações singulares ou complexas, precoces ou tardias. Neste estudo, objetivou-se descrever as evidências científicas sobre o risco de infecção e formação de biofilme associado ao marca-passo cardíaco. Trata-se de um estudo de revisão integrativa da literatura. Totalizaram-se 14 publicações classificadas em três categorias temáticas: diagnóstico (microbiológico e/ou clínico), complicações e terapêutica das infecções. Os Staphylococcus epidermidis e os Staphylococcus aureus foram os microrganismos mais frequentemente isolados. Não foi possível determinar a incidência da infecção associada aos marca-passos, uma vez que os estudos eram em geral de prevalência. Em termos de terapêutica destacou-se a remoção completa dos marca-passos, especialmente nos casos de suspeita de biofilme. Ainda é controverso o uso da profilaxia antibiótica sistêmica na redução da incidência da infecção associada ao implante de marca-passo.

Cardiac pacing through cardiac pacemaker is one of the most promising alternatives in the treatment of arrhythmias, but it can cause reactions natural or complex reactions, either early or late. This study aimed to describe the scientific evidence on the risk of infection and biofilm formation associated with cardiac pacemaker. This is a study of integrative literature review. It included 14 publications classified into three thematic categories: diagnosis (microbiological and/or clinical), complications and therapy of infections. Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus were the microorganisms most frequently isolated. It was not possible to determine the incidence of infection associated with pacemakers, since the studies were generally of prevalence. In terms of therapy, the complete removal of pacemakers stood out, especially in cases of suspected biofilm. Still controversial is the use of systemic antibiotic prophylaxis in reducing the incidence of infection associated with implantation of a pacemaker.

La estimulación cardíaca artificial por medio de marcapaso cardíaco representa una de las alternativas más promisorias en el tratamiento de las arritmias, sin embargo, puede ocasionar reacciones singulares o complejas, precoces o tardías. En este estudio, el objetivo fue describir las evidencias científicas sobre el riesgo de infección y formación de biofilm asociado al marcapaso cardíaco. Se trata de un estudio de revisión integrante de la literatura. Se totalizaron 14 publicaciones clasificadas en tres categorías temáticas: diagnóstico (microbiológico y/o clínico), complicaciones y terapéutica de las infecciones. Los Staphylococcus epidermidis y los Staphylococcus aureus fueron los microorganismos más a menudo aislados. No se pudo determinar la incidencia de la infección asociada a los marcapasos, pues los estudios eran en general de prevalencia. En términos de terapéutica se destacó la retirada completa de los marcapasos, especialmente en los casos en que se sospechaba de biofilm. Todavía es algo controvertido el uso de la profilaxis antibiótica sistémica para la reducción de la incidencia de la infección asociada al implante de marcapaso.

The Modified Static Spacers Using Antibiotic-Impregnated Cement Rod in Two-Stage Revision for Infected Total Knee Arthroplasty

The two-stage exchange arthroplasty (one- or two-stage) is believed to be the gold standard for the management of infections following total knee arthroplasty. We herein report a novel two-stage exchange arthroplasty technique using an antibiotic-impregnated cement intramedullary nail, which can be easily prepared during surgery using a straight thoracic tube and a Steinmann pin, and may provide additional stability to the knee to maintain normal mechanical axis. In addition, there is less pain between the period of prosthesis removal and subsequent reimplantation. Less soft tissue contracture, less scar adhesion, easy removal of the cement intramedullary nail, and successful infection control are the advantages of this technique.

Actualización sobre endocarditis infecciosa en válvula protésica / Up-date in prosthetic valve endocarditis

La endocarditis en válvulas protésicas es aún tema de controversia, en especial en referencia al tipo de tratamiento que se debe elegir. Debido a que los conocimientos actuales sobre esta patología están basados principalmente en la literatura y por ende, en sus variados exponentes (experiencias clínicas, revisiones sistemáticas, guía clínicas de diferentes sociedades de cardiología, estudios observacionales, entre otros), es necesario hacer una actualización continua de la información. Esta revisión bibliográfica se centra en la incidencia, etiología, diagnóstico y tratamiento de la endocarditis protésica. En ella se llega la conclusión de que los principales microorganismos productores de esta patología son el Estafilococo aureus y el Estafilococo coagulasa-negativo. También se reconocen aquellos factores de riesgo para los cuales la cirugía es mandatoria, entre los que destacan las infecciones por S. aureus y la endocarditis protésica complicada, ya sea por insuficiencia cardíaca, alteración de la conducción, formación de abscesos y/o embolias recurrentes. De esta manera, con la información recopilada, se identificaron aquellos pacientes con opción a tratamiento médico, y aquellos con indicación de manejo quirúrgico. Para presentar mejor nuestras conclusiones, se construyeron esquemas de fácil consulta y lectura, para apoyar la decisión del tipo de manejo frente a una endocarditis en válvulas protésicas.

Prosthetic valve endocarditis is still a matter of controversy especially the type of treatment that should be chosen for an individual patient. Since the current knowledge of this pathology is based mainly on the literature and in its many and varied exponents (clinical experience, systematic review, practice guidelines of cardiology associations, observational studies, etc), it is necessary to update the information continuously This review is focused mainly in the incidence, etiology diagnostics and treatment of prosthetic endocarditis. The principal microroganisms related to this pathology are Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative Staphyloccoco. Risk factors were identified for witch surgery is mandatory, such us Staphylococcus aureus infection and a complicated prosthetic valve endocarditis (cardiac failure, conduction abnormalities, abscess formation and recurrent embolism). With this information, patients that could have a medical treatment option can be recognized, as well as those who will require surgery. In order to present in a better way our conclusions, easily reading diagrams were included to facilitate the decision process when facing up a prosthetic valve endocarditis.

O uso de espaçadores com antibiótico no tratamento das infecções em endopróteses de joelho / Use of antibiotic spacers for knee endoprosthesis infections treatment

OBJETIVO: O objetivo do estudo é avaliar a utilização dos espaçadores de cimento acrílico com antibiótico no tratamento das infecções em endopróteses não convencionais de joelho. MÉTODO: Desde de 2004 foram tratados sete pacientes (seis pacientes operados no nosso serviço e um paciente que havia sido submetido a cirurgia primária do tumor em outro serviço) com infecção peri-endoprótese não convencional de joelho. Todos pacientes foram submetidos a retirada da endoprótese e reconstrução com espaçador com cimento acrílico com antibiótico. Todos os pacientes foram monitorados clínica e laboratorialmente quanto ao controle da evolução, sendo considerados aptos para a revisão e recolocação de endoprótese após 06 (seis) meses sem sinais infecciosos RESULTADOS: Notamos um discreto predomínio do do processo infeccioso nas próteses realizadas na tíbia proximal em comparação com o fêmur distal (57,1 por cento x 42,9 por cento). O seguimento médio dos pacientes foi 68,2 meses. Durante o seguimento, um paciente faleceu devido a doença de base. Dos sete pacientes, 6 foram considerados curados e um persistiu com sinais e sintomas de infecção. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados obtidos até o momento tem motivado a continuidade deste método de tratamento.

OBJCTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the use of cement spacers impregnated with antibiotics for the treatment of infections in the nonconventional endoprostheses of the knee. METHODOLOGY: We have treated seven patients since 2004 (of which six were submitted to surgery in our service and one patient had been submitted to a primary tumor surgery in another removal service) with deep infection in knee tumor prosthesis. All patients were submitted to endoprosthesis removal and reconstructed with antibiotic cement spacer. All patients were monitored both clinically and by lab tests as for monitoring the evolution, being considered able for reviews after 6 (six) months without infections signs. RESULTS: We have noted a small predominance of infectious processes on the prosthesis inserted on proximal tibia as compared with distal femur (57.1 percent x 42.9 percent). The mean follow-up time of patients was 68.2 months. During the follow up, one patient died as a result of the root disease. Six patients out of seven were regarded as cured and one persisted with infection signs and symptoms. CONCLUSION: The results obtained up to date have motivated us to continue using this method of treatment.

Prosthetic joint infection due to Haemophilus aphrophilus

A case of prosthetic joint infection due to Haemophilus aphrophilus is presented. A 76-year-old woman, with a long history of pain in her left hip and raised inflammatory markers, underwent prosthetic joint excision. Six samples of pus and tissue were taken from the joint and Haemophilus aphrophilus was cultured from 3 of these specimens. We review the clinical and microbiological findings. Treatment with ciprofloxacin after removal of the prosthesis resulted in clinical improvement

Afecciones de la mucosa oral encontradas en pacientes geriátricos portadores de prótesis estomatológicas / Oral mucosa diseases found in geriatric patients wearing dentures

La salud bucal debe ser vista como componente de la calidad de vida, especialmente en la población geriátrica, cada vez más numerosa. El uso de prótesis durante largos períodos de tiempo por parte de estos pacientes, sin que sean cambiadas periódicamente, puede generar dolor e inestabilidad durante la masticación, factores que conjuntamente con otros, pueden provocar el desarrollo de lesiones en los tejidos que están en contacto con el aparato protésico. Se realiza este estudio con el objetivo de determinar la prevalencia de algunas patologías bucales y su relación con el uso de la prótesis dental. La muestra de esta investigación estuvo constituida por 68 pacientes de 60 años y más, portadores de prótesis y que presentaban las lesiones objeto de estudio, entre las que se observa com mayor frecuencia la estomatitis subprótesis, con 24 pacientes para el 35,29 por ciento de los casos, y que se encontró fundamentalmente en pacientes que han usado la prótesis por un largo período de tiempo y que estas se encontraban desajustadas. Teniendo en cuenta los resultados obtenidos, consideramos que se deben tomar las medidas necesarias para el diagnóstico y tratamiento de estas patologías, así como para lograr el control de los factores que las provocan(AU)

Oral health must be seen as an element of the quality of life, especially in the ever increasing older population. The use of dentures for long periods of time by aged patients, without these being regularly changed, may cause pain and instability during mastication. This together with other factors may lead to the onset of lesions in tissues that are in contact with the denture. This study was made to determine the prevalence of some oral pathologies and their relationship with denture. The sample was made up of sixty eight patients aged 60 years and over, who were denture wearers and presented with the lesions under study, mainly denture stomatitis that affected 24 patients accounting for 35,29 per cent of cases. It was found mainly in patients who have worn denture for a long time and these dentures were unadjusted. Taking into account the observed results, we consider that the necessary measures must be taken for diagnosis and treatment of these pathologies as well as for control of causative factors(AU)

Guias para el manejo de las infecciones osteoarticulares por Staphylococcus meticilino-resistente / [Guidelines for the management of bone and joint infections due to methicillin resistant staphylococci]

Bone and joint infections are a group of complicated diseases with high morbidity. Emerging resistant microorganisms and the use of prosthetic devices have increased the difficulty in the medical treatment of patients. The purpose of these guidelines is to offer information on the management of bone and joint infections (post-invasive septic arthritis, chronic osteomyelitis and infected arthroplasty) produced by methicillin resistant staphylococci. They are oriented to physicians dedicated to internal medicine, infectious diseases, trauma and orthopedist surgeons as well as to everybody interested in this issue. The guidelines mainly point to the rational use of diagnostic methods and describe the new treatment modalities. A group of experts analyzed the different strategies for diagnosing and treating bone and joint infections due to methicillin resistant staphylococci and attempted at setting a level of evidence level and the strength of each recommendation.

Endocarditis infecciosa sobre válvula protésica / Prosthetic valve endocarditis

El objetivo del presente trabajo es realizar un análisis retrospectivo de la clínica y la evolución de pacientes portadores de endocarditis infecciosa sobre válvula protésica (EIVP), asistidos en un servicio de cirugía cardíaca. Se analizan los casos con esta enfermedad asistidos entre abril de 1995 y octubre del 2000 en el Servicio de Cirugía Cardíaca de Casa de Galicia-GEVE, Montevideo-Uruguay. Se incluyeron 14 pacientes de los cuales 13 tuvieron indicación quirúrgica. Todos los pacientes eran portadores de una única válvula protésica (seis biológicas y ocho mecánicas). La presentación clínica más común fue como fiebre sin foco aparente (64 por ciento). Los hemocultivos resultaron positivos en 71 por ciento, siendo estreptococo el germen más frecuente en la EIVP tardía (67 por ciento) y estafilococo en la precoz (37 por ciento). La ecografía transesofágica fue diagnóstica en 100 por ciento de los casos, revelando una alta incidencia de complicaciones cardíacas particularmente abscesos (71 por ciento). Once pacientes de trece con indicación quirúrgica recibieron cirugía de reemplazo valvular. La mortalidad hospitalaria de la serie fue 21,4 por ciento con 9,1 por ciento de mortalidad quirúrgica (todos EIVP precoz). Conclusión: 1) La EIVP es una grave complicación de la cirugía de sustitución valvular implicando una alta mortalidad, 2) la ecocardiografía transesofágica es un estudio con alta sensibilidad para el diagnóstico de la enfermedad y sus complicaciones, 3) la cirugía de reemplazo valvular, cuando está indicada, debe realizarse precozmente.

Infección de prótesis de aorta ascendente: tratamiento con aseo quirúrgico, preservación de prótesis y transposición de colgajo muscular en dos casos / Infection of ascending aortic graft: treatment with surgical cleaning, graft preservation and transposition of muscle flaps, report of 2 cases

Mediastinitis with graft infection is a serious complication of ascending aorta replacement. We report two cases of graft infection, treated with surgical cleaning, graft preservation and transposition of muscle flaps. A 62 years old male was admitted 34 days after an ascending aortic grafting due to a sternal dehiscence and mediastinitis. Antimicrobial treatment was started and a surgical cleaning performed, leaving an open sternotomy. Three days later, the thoracic cavity was closed with a rectus abdominis muscle flap. After 23 months of follow up, the patient is well and without evidence of infection. A 74 years old male was subjected to an aortic valve and ascending aorta replacement and a myocardial revascularization. In the postoperative period, the patient developed septic signs, and a purulent drainage. A CAT scan showed a liquid collection surrounding the aortic graft. On tW Sixteenth postoperative day, a surgical cleaning was performed and the thorax was closed with the pectoralis major muscle. After 10 months of follow up, the patient is in Good condition and without evidence of infection

Infecciones en prótesis articular / Prosthetic joint infections

Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo con el objetivo de conocer las principales características clínicas y epidemiológicas de las infecciones en prótesis articulares de cadera y rodilla. Para Ello se analizaron los registros disponibles desde 1993 identificando 19 episodios en 18 pacientes. La tasa de infección global fue de 2,84 porciento en 633 implantes y la de infecciones intrahospitalarias de 1,11 porciento. Un 70 porciento de los casos se presentó antes de los 18 meses de la instalación. La edad promedio de los pacientes fue de 70,5 años y 83 porciento era de sexo femenino. Tres pacientes tenían antecedentes de artritis reumatoidea y utilizaban corticosteroides. Los cultivos fueron positivos en 18 de los 19 episodios, predominando el género staphylococcus (49 porciento) y los bacilos gram negativos (37 porciento). En 12 de los 19 episodios se retiró la prótesis infectada (63 porciento). La sobrevida libre de recurrencias fue sifnificativamente superior en aquellos pacientes tratados quirúrgicamente durante el primer mes de hospitalización

La ecocardiografía transesofágica en el estudio de prótesis valvulares infectadas / Transesophageal echocardiography in the study of infected prosthetic valves

La infección de prótesis valvulares se considera está relacionada con un peor pronóstico que la endocarditis de válvula nativa. Esto se debe entre otros factores, a la visualización inapropiada de las vegetaciones injertadas en las estructuras protésicas, especialmente de tipo mecánico, por ecocardiografía transtorácica. Objetivo. El propósito de éste estudio es describir nuestra experiencia en relación con las ventajas y limitaciones de la exploración ecocardiográfica a través del esófago en pacientes con prótesis valvulares infectadas para detectar vegetaciones y complicaciones de la endocarditits infecciosa y compararla con otras publicaciones de la literatura. Resultados. Se estudiaron 30 pacientes con historia clínica de infección de prótesis valvulares, en el periodo comprendido entre 1990-1997. En 21 pacientes la infección se localizó en prótesis mitral (70 por ciento), en 8 pacientes (24 por ciento) en prótesis aórtica y sólo en 1 en pulmonar. Se demostró endocarditis infecciosa en todos los pacientes a través del ecocardiograma transesofágico. En 22 pacientes se detectaron vegetaciones infecciosas solamente, en 6 pacientes vegetaciones más abscesos y en 2 pacientes absceso únicamente. En todos se corroboraron los hallazgos a través de cirugía y/o anatomía patológica. El 70 por ciento de los pacientes (21) fueron llevados a cirugía y el 30 por ciento (9 pacientes) recibió tratamiento médico únicamente. conclusiones. En base a nuestros resultados podemos concluir que: 1) La infección de prótesis valvulares es una complicación grave, con una mortalidad cercana al 23 por ciento. 2) La ecocardiografía transesofágica es la técnica de elección en el diagnóstico de la infección de prótesis valvulares

Extraçäo de eletrodo de marcapasso endocárdico permanente pela aplicaçäo de radiofraqüência / Electrode extraction of permanent endocardial pacemaker by radiofrequency aplication

Introduçao: Uma nova opçao terapêutica para a remoçao de cabos-eletrodo endocárdicos permanentes desativados é apresentada, utilizando a radiofreqüência para facilitar a liberaçao do eletrodo a partir do endocárdio, permitindo a extraçao transvenosa do sistema. Os resultados obtidos nos 4 primeiros pacientes tratados sao apresentados. Casuística: Quatro pacientes portadores de processos infecciosos em eletrodos transvenosos abandonados foram submetidos a procedimento para remoçao do cateter. Todos os pacientes eram portadores de eletrodos de fixaçao passiva por aletas implantados no ventrículo direito de 8,5 a 18,8 anos (M = 12,9 + 5,6) antes. Em todos os casos a técnica da traçao contínua havia sido utilizada exaustivamente, nao se conseguindo a remoçao. Métodos: Utilizou-se gerador de radiofreqüência Rdionics RFG3D com anodo de 85 cm2 justaposto ao dorso do paciente e usou-se como catodo o próprio eletrodo a ser removido. Concomitante à traçao contínua do cabo-eletrodo a aplicaçao de radiofreqüência era iniciada. Para cada paciente foram realizadas até três aplicaçoes de 50 W com um tempo máximo de aplicaçao de 60 segundos em cada aplicaçao. O tempo e a potência foram determinados empiricamente pela equipe médica, considerando-se insucesso a nao liberaçao do eletrodo a partir do miocárdio após a aplicaçao do montante de energia acima descrito. Resultados: O cabo-eletrodo foi removido completamente em 2 pacientes. Em 1, a radiofreqüência dissolveu a solda do condutor à ponta do eletrodo, que ficou presa ao miocárdio e no último paciente nao houve liberaçao do cabo após o uso da máxima energia preestabelecida. Nao houve complicaçoes ou óbitos. Conclusoes: A radiofreqüência pode ser usada como opçao terapêutica para a liberaçao transvenosa de eletrodos abandonados. Maior experiência deve ser obtida para determinar a energia que deve ser utilizada para maximizar os resultados.