Annular Rupture Due to Calcified Nodule Located in Left Ventricular Outflow Tract (LVOT) During Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) Managed by Protamine Sulfate.

Annular rupture is a rare yet fatal complication of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). The likelihood of annular rupture is increased by the presence of extensive subannular calcification, excessive balloon dilatation for valve expansion or aggressive valve oversizing to prevent paravalvular leakage during TAVR. Although extensive annular or aortic root calcification increases the likelihood of annular rupture, rupture due to the presence of a calcified nodule in the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) is not commonly reported. We present the case of an 84-year-old man who developed an annular rupture during TAVR, likely due to the presence of a calcified nodule located in LVOT, which was noted on a pre-procedural computed tomography (CT) scan. The rupture was identified early and was successfully reversed with the administration of protamine sulfate during the procedure.

Venous Thrombosis Secondary to Acute Cytomegalovirus Infection in an Immunocompetent Host: Consideration for New Screening Guidelines.

Serious thrombotic complications associated with an acute cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients are becoming increasingly recognized. While typically asymptomatic and self-limiting, an acute CMV infection appears to demonstrate a rare propensity for a vascular thrombosis, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT), thrombophlebitis, and pulmonary embolism (PE). It remains unclear whether other predisposing factors play a role in its pathogenesis. We report the case of a young, immunocompetent male with extensive lower extremity DVT who was coincidentally found to be CMV-immunoglobulin M (IgM) seropositive. In light of the increasing prevalence of CMV-associated thrombotic events, we reviewed the current literature on its incidence, pathophysiology, clinical features, and thrombophilia screening to consider the possibility of CMV seropositivity as an independent risk factor for vascular events. This may have repercussions for screening guidelines and preventive strategies in those with active CMV infection.

Ceftaroline Fosamil as an Alternative for a Severe Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Infection: A Case Report.

Bacteremia secondary to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a dreaded medical condition that is not only associated with a significant medical cost but also carries high morbidity and mortality. The poor clinical outcomes seen in MRSA patients and the nephrotoxic effects of high-doses of vancomycin are challenging its current status as the first-line treatment for MRSA. Fortunately, vancomycin-intermediate-staphylococcus aureus (VISA) and vancomycin-resistant-staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) are not common in the United States. However, MRSA still presents different treatment challenges. Elevated vancomycin minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) commonly result in decreased efficacy and an increased probability of treatment failure, prompting the use of alternative agents. Although daptomycin is an alternative, adverse effects (i.e., elevations in serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK), drug-induced myopathy, peripheral neuropathy, and eosinophilic pneumonia) may limit its use in some patients. In the search for a suitable replacement for vancomycin, great promise has been shown by anti-MRSA cephalosporins. We present a case of MRSA bacteremia and endocarditis requiring a different approach to treatment as compared to traditional treatment with vancomycin alone. This case report describes the successful treatment of MRSA bacteremia with ceftaroline fosamil in a patient who responded poorly to conventional therapy, specifically vancomycin, due to an elevated MIC (2 µg/mL).