Impact of Neurological Complications on Long-Term Outcomes in Patients with Infective Endocarditis.

Neurological complications are frequent during the active course of infective endocarditis (IE), and they are associated with high in-hospital mortality rates. However, limited data exist on the prognostic value of these complications for late outcomes. This study aimed to assess the long-term impact of neurological complications in patients surviving an IE episode. A total of 263 consecutive IE patients admitted to a tertiary care center between 2007 and 2022 were prospectively included. Neurological complications at admission included transient ischemic attack (TIA), ischemic stroke, hemorrhagic stroke, intracerebral abscess, and meningitis. The primary outcome was a composite of overall mortality or heart valve surgery. Of the patients, 34.2% died in the hospital, leaving 173 survivors for long-term follow-up. Over a median of 3.5 years, 29 patients died, and 13 (9%) underwent cardiac surgery, resulting in an overall adverse event rate of 30%. Neurological complications independently predicted long-term adverse outcomes (hazard ratio (HR) 2.237; 95% CI 1.006-4.976), after adjusting for age, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and heart failure (HF) development. In an IE patient cohort, neurological complications at admission, which is a complication directly related to the IE process, were independent predictors of long-term outcomes.

Histopathological Characterization of Mitral Valvular Lesions from Patients with Rheumatic Heart Disease. / Caracterização Histológica das Lesões da Valva Mitral de Pacientes com Cardiopatia Reumática.

BACKGROUND: The underlying mechanisms by which rheumatic heart disease (RHD) lead to severe valve dysfunction are not completely understood. OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated the histopathological changes in mitral valves (MV) seeking an association between the pattern of predominant valvular dysfunction and histopathological findings. METHODS: In 40 patients who underwent MV replacement due to RHD, and in 20 controls that underwent heart transplant, histological aspects of the excised MV were analyzed. Clinical and echocardiographic data were also collected. Histological analyses were performed using hematoxylin-eosin staining. Inflammation, fibrosis, neoangiogenesis, calcification and adipose metaplasia were determined. A p value<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean age of RHD patients was 53±13 years, 36 (90%) were female, whereas the mean age of controls was 50±12 years, similar to the cases, with the majority of males (70%). The rheumatic valve endocardium presented greater thickness than the controls (1.3±0.5 mm versus 0.90±0.4 mm, p=0.003, respectively), and a more intense inflammatory infiltrate in the endocardium (78% versus 36%; p=0.004), with predominance of mononuclear cells. Moderate to marked fibrosis occurred more frequently in rheumatic valves than in control valves (100% vs. 29%; p<0.001). Calcification occurred in 35% of rheumatic valves, especially among stenotic valves, which was associated with the mitral valve area (p=0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Despite intense degree of fibrosis, the inflammatory process remains active in the rheumatic mitral valve, even at late disease with valve dysfunction. Calcification predominated in stenotic valves and in patients with right ventricular dysfunction.

FUNDAMENTOS: Os mecanismos subjacentes pelos quais a doença cardíaca reumática (DCR) levam à disfunção valvar grave não são totalmente compreendidos. OBJETIVO: O presente estudo avaliou as alterações histopatológicas nas valvas mitrais (VM) buscando uma associação entre o padrão de disfunção valvar predominante e os achados histopatológicos. MÉTODOS: Em 40 pacientes submetidos à troca da VM devido a DCR e em 20 controles submetidos a transplante cardíaco, foram analisados os aspectos histológicos da VM excisada. Dados clínicos e ecocardiográficos também foram coletados. As análises histológicas foram realizadas usando coloração com hematoxilina-eosina. Determinou-se inflamação, fibrose, neoangiogênese, calcificação e metaplasia adiposa. Valores de p<0,05 foram considerados estatisticamente significativos. RESULTADOS: A idade média dos pacientes com DCR foi de 53±13 anos, sendo 36 (90%) do sexo feminino, enquanto a idade média dos controles foi de 50±12 anos, semelhante aos casos, sendo a maioria do sexo masculino (70%). O endocárdio valvar reumático apresentou espessura maior que os controles (1,3±0,5 mm versus 0,90±0,4 mm, p=0,003, respectivamente), e infiltrado inflamatório mais intenso no endocárdio (78% versus 36%; p=0,004), com predominância de células mononucleares. Ocorreu fibrose moderada a acentuada mais frequentemente em válvulas reumáticas do que em válvulas controle (100% vs. 29%; p<0,001). Ocorreu calcificação em 35% das valvas reumáticas, principalmente entre as valvas estenóticas, associada à área valvar mitral (p=0,003). CONCLUSÕES: Apesar do intenso grau de fibrose, o processo inflamatório permanece ativo na valva mitral reumática, mesmo em doença tardia com disfunção valvar. A calcificação predominou em valvas estenóticas e em pacientes com disfunção ventricular direita.

Caracterização Histológica das Lesões da Valva Mitral de Pacientes com Cardiopatia Reumática / Histopathological Characterization of Mitral Valvular Lesions from Patients with Rheumatic Heart Disease

Resumo Fundamentos: Os mecanismos subjacentes pelos quais a doença cardíaca reumática (DCR) levam à disfunção valvar grave não são totalmente compreendidos. Objetivo: O presente estudo avaliou as alterações histopatológicas nas valvas mitrais (VM) buscando uma associação entre o padrão de disfunção valvar predominante e os achados histopatológicos. Métodos: Em 40 pacientes submetidos à troca da VM devido a DCR e em 20 controles submetidos a transplante cardíaco, foram analisados os aspectos histológicos da VM excisada. Dados clínicos e ecocardiográficos também foram coletados. As análises histológicas foram realizadas usando coloração com hematoxilina-eosina. Determinou-se inflamação, fibrose, neoangiogênese, calcificação e metaplasia adiposa. Valores de p<0,05 foram considerados estatisticamente significativos. Resultados: A idade média dos pacientes com DCR foi de 53±13 anos, sendo 36 (90%) do sexo feminino, enquanto a idade média dos controles foi de 50±12 anos, semelhante aos casos, sendo a maioria do sexo masculino (70%). O endocárdio valvar reumático apresentou espessura maior que os controles (1,3±0,5 mm versus 0,90±0,4 mm, p=0,003, respectivamente), e infiltrado inflamatório mais intenso no endocárdio (78% versus 36%; p=0,004), com predominância de células mononucleares. Ocorreu fibrose moderada a acentuada mais frequentemente em válvulas reumáticas do que em válvulas controle (100% vs. 29%; p<0,001). Ocorreu calcificação em 35% das valvas reumáticas, principalmente entre as valvas estenóticas, associada à área valvar mitral (p=0,003). Conclusões: Apesar do intenso grau de fibrose, o processo inflamatório permanece ativo na valva mitral reumática, mesmo em doença tardia com disfunção valvar. A calcificação predominou em valvas estenóticas e em pacientes com disfunção ventricular direita.

Abstract Background: The underlying mechanisms by which rheumatic heart disease (RHD) lead to severe valve dysfunction are not completely understood. Objective: The present study evaluated the histopathological changes in mitral valves (MV) seeking an association between the pattern of predominant valvular dysfunction and histopathological findings. Methods: In 40 patients who underwent MV replacement due to RHD, and in 20 controls that underwent heart transplant, histological aspects of the excised MV were analyzed. Clinical and echocardiographic data were also collected. Histological analyses were performed using hematoxylin-eosin staining. Inflammation, fibrosis, neoangiogenesis, calcification and adipose metaplasia were determined. A p value<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: The mean age of RHD patients was 53±13 years, 36 (90%) were female, whereas the mean age of controls was 50±12 years, similar to the cases, with the majority of males (70%). The rheumatic valve endocardium presented greater thickness than the controls (1.3±0.5 mm versus 0.90±0.4 mm, p=0.003, respectively), and a more intense inflammatory infiltrate in the endocardium (78% versus 36%; p=0.004), with predominance of mononuclear cells. Moderate to marked fibrosis occurred more frequently in rheumatic valves than in control valves (100% vs. 29%; p<0.001). Calcification occurred in 35% of rheumatic valves, especially among stenotic valves, which was associated with the mitral valve area (p=0.003). Conclusions: Despite intense degree of fibrosis, the inflammatory process remains active in the rheumatic mitral valve, even at late disease with valve dysfunction. Calcification predominated in stenotic valves and in patients with right ventricular dysfunction.

Proinflammatory Matrix Metalloproteinase-1 Associates With Mitral Valve Leaflet Disruption Following Percutaneous Mitral Valvuloplasty.

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a major complication of the percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (PMV). Despite high technical expertise and cumulative experience with the procedure, the incidence rate of severe MR has not decreased. Although some of MR can be anticipated by echocardiographic analysis; leaflet tearing, which leads to the most dreaded type of MR, remains unpredictable. Irregular valvular collagen remodeling is likely to compromise tissue architecture and increase the tearing risk during PMV balloon inflation. In this study, we evaluated histological and molecular characteristics of excised mitral valves from patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis (MS) who underwent emergency surgery after PMV due to severe MR caused by leaflet tear. Those findings were compared with patients who underwent elective mitral valve replacement surgery owing to severe MS, in whom PMV was not indicated. In vitro assay using peripheral blood mononuclear cells was performed to better understand the impact of the cellular and molecular alterations identified in leaflet tear mitral valve specimens. Our analysis showed that focal infiltration of inflammatory cells contributes to accumulation of MMP-1 and IFN-γ in valve leaflets. Moreover, we showed that IFN-γ increase the expression of MMP-1 in CD14+ cells (monocytes) in vitro. Thus, inflammatory cells contribute to unevenly remodel collagen resulting in variable thickening causing abnormalities in leaflet architecture making them more susceptible to laceration.

Mitral Regurgitation After Percutaneous Mitral Valvuloplasty: Insights Into Mechanisms and Impact on Clinical Outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess the incidence, mechanisms, and outcomes of mitral regurgitation (MR) after percutaneous mitral valvuloplasty (PMV). BACKGROUND: Significant MR continues to be a major complication of PMV, with a wide range in clinical presentation and prognosis. METHODS: Consecutive patients with mitral stenosis undergoing PMV were prospectively enrolled. MR severity was evaluated by using quantitative echocardiographic criteria, and its mechanism was characterized by 3-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography, divided broadly into 4 categories based on the features contributing to the valve damage. B-type natriuretic peptide levels were obtained before and 24 h after the procedure. Endpoints estimated cardiovascular death or mitral valve (MV) replacement due to predominant MR. RESULTS: A total of 344 patients, ages 45.1 ± 12.1 years, of whom 293 (85%) were women, were enrolled. Significant MR after PMV was found in 64 patients (18.6%). The most frequent mechanism of MR was commissural, which occurred in 22 (34.4%) patients, followed by commissural with posterior leaflet in 16 (25.0%), leaflets at central scallop or subvalvular damage in 15 (23.4%), and central MR in 11 (17.2%). During the mean follow-up period of 3 years (range 1 day to 10.6 years), 60 patients reached the endpoint. The event-free survival rates were similar among patients with mild or commissural MR, whereas patients with damaged central leaflet scallop or subvalvular apparatus had the worst outcome, with an event-free survival rate at 1 year of only 7%. Long-term outcome was predicted by net atrioventricular compliance (Cn) at baseline and post-procedural variables, including valve area, mean gradient, and magnitude of decrease in B-type natriuretic peptide levels, adjusted for the mechanism of MR. CONCLUSIONS: Significant MR following PMV is a frequent event, mainly related to commissural splitting, with favorable clinical outcome. Parameters that express the relief of valve obstruction and the mechanism by which MR develops were predictors of long-term outcomes.

Late atrioventricular groove disruption presenting 7 years after mitral valve replacement: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular rupture is the most feared complication in mitral valve surgery. Despite its low incidence, mortality rates can reach up to 75%. It usually presents on the operating room with a dissecting haematoma followed by massive bleeding after discontinuing cardiopulmomary bypass. However, cardiac rupture may be contained by adherent pericardium or scar tissue leading to chronic formation of a pseudoaneurysm (PSA). CASE SUMMARY: A 44-year-old man came to our institution with acute heart failure triggered by community-acquired pneumonia. He underwent mitral valve replacement with a mechanical prosthesis 7 years before and reported suffering from chronic worsening dyspnoea for 18 months. He underwent chest computed tomography scan and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI), which showed two extensive left ventricular (LV) multilobulated PSAs. An operative approach was chosen and a tear was found on the posterior atrioventricular groove (AVG), communicating left ventricle with the PSA, which was closed with bovine pericardium patch. After weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass, he presented a diffuse life-threatening bleeding. The surgeons packed his chest with compresses before closing the sternum and he was operatively revised after 48 h. Post-operative CMRI showed that one of the PSAs remained connected with the LV. Despite of all, 1 year after hospital discharge, he remains asymptomatic without signs of heart failure. DISCUSSION: This case illustrates PSAs' potential to grow for a long period before causing symptoms, the complexity and risks of chronic AVG disruption surgery and the importance of careful annular manipulation and debridement as preventive measures in mitral valve surgery.

Outcomes of infective endocarditis in the current era: Early predictors of a poor prognosis.

BACKGROUND: The early identification of patients at risk of complications of infective endocarditis (IE) using parameters obtained as part of routine practice is essential for guiding clinical decision-making. This study aimed to identify a parameter at hospital admission that predicts the outcome, adding value to other well-known factors of a poor prognosis in IE. METHODS: Two hundred and three patients with IE were included in this study. Clinical evaluation, echocardiography, blood cultures, and routine laboratory tests were performed at hospital admission. The endpoint was in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 48.2±16.6 years; 62% were male and 38% had rheumatic heart disease. During treatment, cardiac surgery was performed in 111 patients (55%), and the overall in-hospital mortality rate was 32%. In the multivariable analysis, the independent predictors of death were age (odds ratio (OR) 1.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-1.13), C-reactive protein (CRP) at hospital admission (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.04-1.21), length of the vegetation at diagnosis (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.03-1.28), development of heart failure (OR 6.43, 95% CI 2.14-19.33), and embolic events during antimicrobial therapy (OR 12.14, 95% CI 2.11-71.89). CONCLUSIONS: An elevated CRP level at hospital admission and vegetation length at diagnosis were strong predictors of in-hospital mortality in IE, independent of other prognostic parameters, specifically taking into account patient characteristics and complications during therapy.

Dental management for patients undergoing heart valve surgery.

This study sought to review current guidelines and the most optimal dental management for patients undergoing cardiac valve surgery.