A case report of infective endocarditis of the aortic valve in a patient with an implanted pacemaker / 대한내과학회지

Infective endocarditis related to pacemaker implantation is a rare complication. However, it is a potentially lethal complication with a mortality rate of 30 to 35%. Infective endocarditis associated with pacemaker implantation usually involves the right heart and tricuspid valve. Conservative treatment without complete removal of the entire pacing system is prone to fail (i.e. result in infection relapse or development of sepsis). Therefore, the total extraction of the entire pacemaker system should be considered as standard therapy for most patients with pacemaker-related endocarditis and for many patients with local infectious symptoms at the site of pacemaker implantation to achieve complete recovery. We report a case of a 42-year-old man with documented pacemaker related left-sided endocarditis that was associated with multiple embolic events. Also, we review the literature regarding pacemaker-related endocarditis and local wound infection, in particular with respect to the modalities of treatment.

A Case of Osmotic Demyelination Syndrome after Hemodialysis Treatment in a Uremic Patient with Severe Hyperosmolality / 대한신장학회잡지

Osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS) is a distinctive clinical syndrome with characteristic MR features in the central pons (central pontine myelinolysis) and in other brain locations (extrapontine myelinolysis). Rapid correction of hyponatremia is associated with ODS, but hyperosmolality rarely causes it. Here we report a case of ODS developed in a hemodialysis patient with severe uremia and concomitant hyperosmolality. A 67-year-old male was presented with general weakness and dyspnea. Laboratory findings showed severe uremia (blood urea nitrogen, 167 mg/dL; serum creatinine, 15 mg/dL), hyperosmolality (336 mOsm/kg H2O), and normal range of sodium (145 mEq/L). After the first hemodialysis treatment, his consciousness was changed to lethargic state. We initially suspected dialysis disequilibrium syndrome, but the symptoms were aggravated. MRI showed edema in central pons and symmetrical extrapotine lesions in the subcortical white matter, lateral thalamus, and posterior capsule, consistent with ODS. In spite of aggressive measures including continuous renal replacement therapy, he died of sepsis at the 26th hospital day.