Aggregatibacter aphrophilus aortic valve infective endocarditis / Endocarditis infecciosa en válvula aórtica por Aggregatibacter aphrophilus

Nowadays, infective endocarditis remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and there are concerns related to the increased number of infections associated with virulent agents and medical procedures. We present a case of a homeless man with unknown medical history, admitted for lumbar pain who became confused, hypotensive and tachy cardic, evolving to severe sepsis. His initial investigation was also suggestive of acute myocardial infarction but the transthoracic echocardiogram revealed massive aortic valve vegetation with perivalvular abscess leading to severe aortic regurgitation. The patient died with the final diagnosis of infective endocarditis. Later on the blood cultures was identified Aggregatibacter aphrophilus, an HACEK group agent. This case confirms that, albeit the general favorable outcomes, there are cases of serious infections, especially if the diagnosis and treatment were late.

Hoy día, la endocarditis infecciosa continúa siendo una causa importante de mor-bimortalidad en todo el mundo y es preocupante el aumento del número de infecciones asociadas con agentes virulentos y procedimientos médicos. Presentamos el caso de un indigente con antecedentes médicos desconocidos, ingresado por dolor lumbar, que comenzó a sentirse confuso, hipotenso y taquicárdico. Poco después de su ingreso su estado evolucionó a septicemia grave. Los resultados de las pruebas iniciales también eran indicativos de infarto agudo de miocardio, pero el ecocardiograma transtorácico reveló una vegetación masiva en la válvula aórtica con absceso perivalvular condicionando regurgitación aórtica grave. El paciente murió, con el diagnóstico definitivo de endocarditis infecciosa. Más tarde, en los hemocultivos se identificó Aggregatibacter aphrophilus, un microorganismo del grupo HACEK. Este caso confirma que, a pesar de los resultados favorables en general, hay casos de infecciones graves, sobre todo si el diagnóstico y el tratamiento fueron tardíos.

Uso de betabloqueador no choque cardiogênico da cardiomiopatia de Takotsubo / Use of beta-blockers in cardiogenic shock due to Takotsubo cardiomyopathy

A cardiomiopatia de Takotsubo se caracteriza por alterações reversíveis na função sistólica e segmentar do ventrículo esquerdo associada à coronariografia normal. O choque associado a essa cardiomiopatia é causado por disfunção sistólica e/ou obstrução dinâmica do trato de saída do ventrículo esquerdo. A identificação da etiologia do choque tem implicações terapêuticas. Relata-se o caso de paciente feminina, 76 anos, com cardiomiopatia de Takotsubo cuja apresentação mimetizou infarto agudo do miocárdio complicado com choque cardiogênico. O choque foi revertido após administração endovenosa de propranolol.

Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is characterized by reversible changes in the systolic and segmental left ventricular function associated with normal coronariography. The shock associated with this cardiomyopathy is caused by left ventricular systolic dysfunction and/or dynamic left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. Identification of the etiology of the shock has implications for treatment. This case study reports on a 76-year-old women diagnosed with Takotsubo cardiomyopathy whose presentation mimicked an acute myocardial infarction complicated by cardiogenic shock. The shock was reversed after intravenous administration of propanolol.