Diagnostic work-up and current management strategies for infective endocarditis in the pediatric population.

Infective endocarditis (IE) remains a serious disease that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and despite the significant advances that have been made in understanding the disease process in past decades, its incidence appears to be on the rise recently. Endocarditis in children is no longer a rare occurrence. This appeared to be related to a combination of the improved survival of children with congenital heart diseases (CHDs), increase use of intracardiac protheses, and catheter-related interventions. The American Heart Association (AHA) 2007 guidelines reduced the recommendations for use of prophylactic antibiotics in those with CHDs which occurred despite the noticeable increase in endocarditis incidence around that time. In general, the recommendations for managing children with IE are derived from the adults' guidelines, and the evidence-base is lacking in many clinical scenarios. Understanding the epidemiology, clinical presentations, microbiology, and outcomes of different management strategies for endocarditis is needed to have a clear and optimal plan for these children. In the current narrative review, we discuss IE in the pediatric population in terms of etiology, predisposing factors, and different treatment strategies for this unique population.

Role of n-DAMO in Mitigating Methane Emissions from Intertidal Wetlands Is Regulated by Saltmarsh Vegetations.

Coastal wetlands are hotspots for methane (CH4) production, reducing their potential for global warming mitigation. Nitrite/nitrate-dependent anaerobic methane oxidation (n-DAMO) plays a crucial role in bridging carbon and nitrogen cycles, contributing significantly to CH4 consumption. However, the role of n-DAMO in reducing CH4 emissions in coastal wetlands is poorly understood. Here, the ecological functions of the n-DAMO process in different saltmarsh vegetation habitats as well as bare mudflats were quantified, and the underlying microbial mechanisms were explored. Results showed that n-DAMO rates were significantly higher in vegetated habitats (Scirpus mariqueter and Spartina alterniflora) than those in bare mudflats (P < 0.05), leading to an enhanced contribution to CH4 consumption. Compared with other habitats, the contribution of n-DAMO to the total anaerobic CH4 oxidation was significantly lower in the Phragmites australis wetland (15.0%), where the anaerobic CH4 oxidation was primarily driven by ferric iron (Fe3+). Genetic and statistical analyses suggested that the different roles of n-DAMO in various saltmarsh wetlands may be related to divergent n-DAMO microbial communities as well as environmental parameters such as sediment pH and total organic carbon. This study provides an important scientific basis for a more accurate estimation of the role of coastal wetlands in mitigating climate change.

Characteristics of Lambl excrescences of aortic and pulmonary valves in healthy hearts.

Lambl excrescences (LEs) were initially described in the mid-1800s during autopsies of human hearts, and their significance and biology have been debated ever since. LEs are typically found on aortic and pulmonary valve (semilunar) cusps. There is debate concerning whether LEs are a significant cause of thromboembolic events, or whether they are harmless growths. However, there have not been many reports discussing LEs, and fewer still have examined the prevalence and characteristics of LEs in healthy human hearts. Those who have examined LE prevalence have reported a very high incidence of LEs (85-90%). Herein, we examine LE prevalence and characteristics (size, location, number) in 403 healthy human hearts across all age groups. We find that the prevalence of LEs in healthy hearts is far lower than previously reported.

Novel Hematological Parameters in the Assessment of the Extent of Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device-Related Infections.

BACKGROUND: Patients with infectious complications related to the presence of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) constitute a heterogeneous group, ranging from local pocket infection (PI) to lead-related infectious endocarditis (LRIE) infection spreading along the leads to the endocardium. The detection of isolated LRIE and the assessment of the spread of infection in a patient with PI is often difficult and requires complex imaging and microbiological tests. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the usefulness of new simple hematological parameters in detecting infectious complications in patients with CIED, differentiating vegetation and vegetation-like masses, and assessing the extent of infections in patients with PI. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of clinical data of 2909 patients (36.37% with CIED-related infections), undergoing transvenous lead extraction (TLE) procedures in three high-volume centres in the years 2006-2020, was conducted. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to assess the sensitivity and specificity of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), neutrophil-to-platelet ratio (NPR), and lymphocyte-to-platelet ratio (LPR) in the diagnosis of CIED infections, evaluate the spread of the infectious process in patients with PI and differentiate additional structures related to the presence of lead. RESULTS: The values of NLR and NPR were significantly higher in infectious patients than non-infectious controls (3.07 vs. 2.59; p < 0.001, and 0.02 vs. 0.01; p = 0.008) and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.59; p < 0.001 and 0.56; p < 0.001, respectively. The high specificity of the new markers in detecting the infectious process was demonstrated: 72.82% for NLR (optimal cut-off value: 3.06) and 79.47% for NPR (optimal cut off value: 0.02). The values of NLR and NPR were significantly higher in patients with vegetations than in non-infectious patients with the presence of additional lead-related masses (3.37 vs. 2.61; p < 0.001 and 0.03 vs. 0.02; p = 0.008). The AUC of NLR and NPR for the prediction of vegetations was 0.65; p < 0.001 and 0.60; p < 0.001 with the highest specificity of NPR (82.78%) and an optimal cut-off value of 0.03. NLR and NPR were higher in patients with LRIE compared to isolated PI (4.11 vs. 2.56; p < 0.001 and 0.03 vs. 0.02; p < 0.001) and the ROC curve analysis for coexistence LRIE with PI showed the AUC for NLR: 0.57; p < 0.001 and AUC for NPR: 0.55; p = 0.001. High specificity in the detection of coexistence between PI and LRIE was demonstrated for NLR (87.33%), with an optimal cut-off value of 3.13. CONCLUSIONS: Novel hematological markers (NLR and NPR) are characterized by high specificity in the initial diagnosis of CIED infections, with optimal cut-off values of 3.06 and 0.02. NLR is also useful in the assessment of the spread of infection in patients with PI, with a calculated optimal cut-off value of 3.13. NPR may be helpful in the differentiation of vegetation and vegetation-like masses with an optimal cut-off value of 0.03.

Percutaneous debulking of tricuspid valve infective endocarditis vegetations using a large bore manual aspiration device - AlphaVac.

Most infectious endocarditis patients can be managed medically. However, non-responders to antibiotics and ongoing sequelae such as septic emboli, may require mechanical interventions. AngioVac (Angiodynamics, Latham, NY, USA) is a percutaneous aspiration device used for removal of thrombi, emboli, masses, and vegetations. Main drawbacks are the requirement for a perfusionist, two large-bore accesses, and meticulous de-airing. These drawbacks make the procedure more time-consuming and possibly increase the risk of complications. AlphaVac (Angiodynamics) omits the motor element, thereby overcoming several of the limitations. In the current report, we describe two cases of percutaneous aspiration of tricuspid valve vegetations using AlphaVac. Learning objective: To consider manual percutaneous aspiration of infective valvular vegetations using the AlphaVac cannula in case of insufficient response to antibiotics or for prevention of emboli.

Infective endocarditis of tricuspid valve following septic abortion: a case report.

Introduction: Right-sided infective endocarditis (IE) in non-intravenous drug users is a rare finding. IE of the tricuspid valve is considered an important but uncommon complication in patients with a recent history of obstetric and gynecological procedures. Case presentation: We report a case of a 28-year-old female with IE of the tricuspid valve with a prior history of dilatation and curettage. The echocardiography revealed two mobile vegetation in the septal leaflet of the tricuspid valve with severe eccentric tricuspid regurgitation. Blood culture was positive for Staphylococcus aureus. The patient was started on intravenous (i.v.) antibiotics with supportive treatments and improved over the days. Clinical discussion: Infection can get access to the venous system via pelvic veins after the septic obstetric and gynecological procedure and subsequently to the right side of the heart. Different studies have highlighted the role of prophylactic antibiotics in significantly reducing post-abortal infections. In our patient, the disease was diagnosed on the basis of clinical, echocardiographic, and blood culture findings, and the patient responded well to i.v. antibiotics and supportive care under close monitoring in the coronary care unit. Conclusion: It is important for healthcare providers to be aware of the risk factors and symptoms associated with right-sided IE for early diagnosis and treatment. Appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis and adherence to sterile techniques can help to prevent IE.

Echocardiographic Evaluation of Cardiac Masses.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Cardiac masses encompass a broad range of etiologies and are often initially revealed by echocardiography. The differential may change depending on the location of the mass and patients' medical history or presentation. It is important for clinicians to be aware of subtle visual characteristics on echocardiography in order to correctly diagnose the pathology. METHODS: Patients who underwent transthoracic echocardiography and were found to have one or more cardiac masses between January 1, 2020, and May 15, 2023, were reviewed. Their demographic data, clinical presentation, medical history, imaging, and follow-up information were collected from hospital electronic medical records, de-identified, and used to complete this review paper. A detailed review of cardiac masses divided by cardiac chamber accompanied by real-world echocardiographic images from patients in a large inner city public hospital. We hope that this systematic review of cardiac masses with real-world echocardiographic images will help clinicians note subtle echocardiographic characteristics to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac masses.

We Found a Gem in Your Heart: Valvular Heart Disease and Infective Endocarditis Discovered.

Valvular heart disease (VHD) occurs when there is a functional impairment in the valvular apparatus that either obstructs or regurgitates the backflow of blood. When a microorganism resides in those valves, it injures the leaflets and causes complications such as thromboembolic events. Infective endocarditis (IE), usually caused by the Staphylococci and Streptococcus group, is a disease that occurs on the heart valves. Antibiotic resistance is common; thus, culture and sensitivity testing should be done for a more targeted treatment approach. We herein present a rare case of Gemella morbillorum (G. morbillorum) vegetations found in a patient's heart that initially presented with cerebrovascular disease symptoms and underwent heart surgery in the end.

Abiotrophia defectiva Endocarditis: A Rare Cause with Aggressive Systemic Embolisation and Need of Valve Replacement.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a well-described infectious disease, one with increased morbidity and mortality being the third or fourth most common life-threatening infection syndrome. Abiotrophia defectiva is a non-motile, catalase negative, gram-positive coccus in a chain, which can be isolated from the oral cavity, intestinal, and genitourinary tracts. IE due to this agent is rare and associated with heart valve destruction, congestive heart failure, and high embolisation rates, these being the major mortality causes. We present a case of IE due to this agent, complicated with a stroke, and splenic and renal infarction, with the need for aortic valve replacement. This article highlights the gaps of knowledge left by the rarity of this disease, which range from its diagnosis to its treatment, and what we need to mitigate such gaps, supported with a case description of a successful treatment of this infection. LEARNING POINTS: Infective endocarditis due to Abiotrophia defectiva has usually an indolent course, but the embolisation potential is very high.The major causes of mortality with this species are congestive heart failure due to valve destruction and the presence of multiple emboli.Surgical intervention rates are high with Abiotrophia defectiva, reaching 50% of cases.

Unusual Presentation of Isolated Nonbacterial Thrombotic Tricuspid Valve Endocarditis in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus With Secondary Antiphospholipid Syndrome: A Case Report.

Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE), or marantic endocarditis, is one of the most prevalent cardiac presentations seen in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). It is a condition that is characterized by noninfectious lesions affecting cardiac valves. The most common sight for this disease to affect is the left-sided mitral and aortic cardiac valves. It rarely involves the right-sided tricuspid valve. However, having a secondary condition that increases risk for hypercoagulability can potentiate the severity and frequency of cardiac valvular disease in SLE. In this report, the authors describe a rare case of a patient who presented with clinically symptomatic isolated-sterile tricuspid valve vegetations likely due to antiphospholipid syndrome (APLS) on top of SLE. Optimal medical and surgical managements of these vegetations are not well defined. Criteria call for surgical intervention in infective endocarditis when there are severe heart failure or valve dysfunction, prosthetic valve infection, recurrent systemic emboli, large mobile vegetations, and other detrimental complications. However, intervention for sterile vegetations should also be discussed if the patient can benefit from it clinically and if it can improve quality of life. The authors discuss this case in the context of the relevant medical and surgical literature.

Lead-related infective endocarditis with vegetations: Prevalence and impact of pulmonary embolism in patients undergoing transvenous lead extraction.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence and impact of pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients with lead-related infective endocarditis undergoing transvenous lead extraction (TLE) are unknown. METHODS: Twenty-five consecutive patients with vegetations ≥10 mm at transoesophageal echocardiography were prospectively studied. Contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography (CT) was performed before (pre-TLE) and after (post-TLE) the lead extraction procedure. RESULTS: Pre-TLE CT identified 18 patients (72%) with subclinical PE. The size of vegetations in patients with PE did not differ significantly from those without (median 20.0 mm [interquartile range: 13.0-30.0] vs. 14.0 mm [6.0-18.0], p = 0.116). Complete TLE success was achieved in all patients with 3 (2-3) leads extracted per procedure. There were no postprocedure complications related to the presence of PE and no differences in terms of fluoroscopy time and need for advanced tools. In the group of positive pre-TLE CT, post-TLE scan confirmed the presence of silent PE in 14 patients (78%). There were no patients with new PE formation. Large vegetations (≥20 mm) tended to increase the risk of post-TLE subclinical PE (odds ratio 5.99 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.93-38.6], p = 0.059). During a median 19.4 months follow-up, no re-infection of the implanted system was reported. Survival rates in patients with and without post-TLE PE were similar (hazard ratio: 1.11 [95% CI: 0.18-6.67], p = 0.909). CONCLUSION: Subclinical PE detected by CT was common in patients undergoing TLE with lead-related infective endocarditis and vegetations but was not associated with the complexity of the procedure or adverse outcomes. TLE procedure seems safe and feasible even in patients with large vegetations.

Clinical profile and one-year outcomes of patients with mural infective endocarditis: - A tertiary care centre study based on data from a seven-year registry.

BACKGROUND: Infective endocarditis patients present very rarely with vegetations on the mural endocardium. Only very few studies are available comparing Mural infective endocarditis with commoner valvular or device related infective endocarditis. AIM: To analyse the clinical features, microbiological profile and clinical course of mural endocarditis in comparison to valvular endocarditis. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of data from a registry of infective endocarditis. Patients enrolled between April 2012 and April 2019 were included. Patients who were reported to have vegetations on the mural endocardial surface were taken as a group and compared with rest of the patients. Clinical profile, laboratory parameters including culture and outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Out of 278 patients in the study, 15 (5.38%) had vegetations on the mural endocardium. Of them, only 4 patients had structural heart diseases. All the patients with mural endocarditis were NYHA class II or below at presentation. Ventricles were the commonest sites of vegetations. Inflammatory markers like ESR and CRP were low in mural endocarditis compared to rest. Culture positivity was high in mural endocarditis and Staphylococcus Aureus was the commonest organism. Mural endocarditis patients had similar in hospital mortality to rest of the patients. Cardiac complications were not reported in mural endocarditis, but they had similar incidence of embolic complications including neurological events. CONCLUSION: Mural endocarditis is a rare clinical entity with similar morbidity and mortality to that of endocarditis with valvular vegetation.

A Novel Technique Debulking Vegetations in Tricuspid Endocarditis and Venacava Utilizing AngioVac Aspiration System.

The AngioVac system (AngioDynamics Inc., Latham, NY) is used for the removal of commonly encountered intravascular material, such as thrombus or vegetations in the right atrium, right ventricle, superior vena cava, and inferior vena cava. Patients with high surgical risk having tricuspid endocarditis and superior vena cava thrombus can be treated with the AngioVac system, hence mitigating the risks for this patient population. We present a case series with the utilization of the AngioVac device to reduce the vegetation size and decrease the risk of emboli with effective antibiotic penetration. Transesophageal echocardiography shows a reduction in the size of the vegetations in all three cases with no postoperative complications. This case series demonstrates a novel technique debulking vegetations in tricuspid endocarditis and vena cava.

A 10-year retrospective analysis of the clinical profile and outcomes of infective endocarditis at a tertiary hospital in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the clinical profile and treatment outcomes of infective endocarditis (IE) at a tertiary hospital in KwaZulu-Natal. METHODS: A 10-year retrospective analysis was conducted on cases of definite IE (modified Duke criteria). RESULTS: Ninety-seven subjects (HIV infected, n = 12) satisfied the study criteria (mean age 29.7 ± 15.6 years, M:F 1.4:1). Underlying rheumatic heart disease was present in 84.5% and severe dyspnoea in 67.0% of cases. Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest pathogen isolated (18.6%). Heart failure was present in 61.9% and vegetations were identified in 85 (87.6%) subjects, resulting in 41 (42.3%) embolic events. The clinical profile and outcomes were similar in the HIV-positive and -negative patients. Surgery was performed in 73 subjects (surgical mortality rate 9.5%, total mortality rate 26.4%). Multivariate analysis identified acute-onset IE [odds ratio (OR) 251.46, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.18-5343.63, p = 0.043], vegetation size > 15 mm (OR 222.60, 95% CI 1.04-4730.34, p = 0.043) and medical management only (OR 20.89, 95% CI 2.12-200.06, p = 0.037) as predictors for increased in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSION: IE affects young people with underlying rheumatic heart disease and is associated with high morbi-mortality attributable to advanced disease at presentation and to haemodynamic failure resulting from valve destruction due to acute onset of aggressive infection.

Distribution of phosphorus forms in surface soils of typical peatlands in northern Great Khingan Mountains and its potential to reconstruct paleo-vegetations.

Phosphorus was one of the nutrient limitations to vegetations in wetland ecosystem. In peatland, organic phosphorus is accumulated as vegetation residues in anaerobic conditions, affecting the contents of phosphorus pools for long time. It is unclear that different vegetations affect the contents of phosphorus and whether successions of vegetations could reflected by sedimentation of phosphorus forms. Phosphorus forms from six surface soils plots and four dominant vegetations in the north of the Great Khingan mountains were detected to investigate the differences of phosphorus forms of soil between different vegetations. Phosphorus forms and macrofossil were also detected in a 77-cm peat core (1-cm intervals) in TQ. A fingerprinting historical vegetations were reconstructed by phosphors forms to reflect successions of vegetations during 2200 cal yr BP in TQ area. The results showed that the main phosphorus forms in peatland were NaOH-Po and conc. HCl-Po. The percentages of inorganic phosphorus forms of trees were generally higher than other vegetations. Moss was more conducive for accumulation of organic phosphorus. NaHCO3-Pi, NaOH-Pi, conc. HCl-Po and Pi were selected into linear discrimination analysis. The vegetations reconstructed by phosphorus forms were strongly correlated with the pollen records of moss, herbs and shrubs, as well as with macrofossils in herbs. The fingerprinting of vegetations by phosphorus has potential geochemical reference to reflect the successions of vegetation in peatland.

Fungal Endocarditis With Severe Vegetations of the Aortic Valve and Septic Emboli Secondary to Total Parenteral Nutrition.

Fungal endocarditis is a rare but serious complication of fungemia. It is most commonly caused by Candida species. Risk factors include prosthetic heart valves, injection drug use, and indwelling central venous catheters. In comparison to bacterial endocarditis, fungal endocarditis is more commonly associated with arterial embolization, likely due to the larger size of vegetations. Unfortunately, diagnosis is often delayed, contributing to significant morbidity and mortality. Relapses are common, and extended treatment is often warranted. Antifungal agents and valve replacement are the recommended treatments. However, in-hospital mortality remains at 36%. For these reasons, it is critical to have a high index of suspicion and not delay appropriate therapy.

An Uncommon Cause of Recurrent Dialysis Catheter-Related Bacteremia.

A 54-year-old man on maintenance hemodialysis with recurrent catheter-related bloodstream infections due to Staphylococcus aureus was admitted. Multiple prior transthoracic echocardiograms failed to reveal any vegetation. Subsequently on transesophageal echocardiography a mass consistent with fibrin sheath vegetations was identified and a follow-up diagnostic computed tomography (CT) venogram confirmed the presence of a fibrin sheath with vegetations.

Endocarditis infecciosa en canino con diagnóstico previo de síndrome vestibular periférico secundario a probable otitis media-interna: reporte de caso / Infectious Endocarditis in Dogs with a Previous Diagnosis of Peripheral Vestibular Syndrome Secondary to Probable Otitis Media-Interna: A Case Report

Resumen La endocarditis infecciosa es un proceso patológico de baja incidencia en la clínica diaria; su principal etiología son los agentes bacterianos, los cuales colonizan con mayor prevalencia de válvula mitral y aortica. En este artículo se presenta el estudio de un perro con diagnóstico previo de síndrome vestibular periférico secundario a probable otitis media-interna. Se presenta con un soplo de aparición súbita, claudicaciones intermitentes, inapetencia, depresión y fiebre, por lo cual se hace la valoración ecocardiográfica, donde se evidencia engrosamiento valvular mitral, acompañado de estructuras hiperecoicas en el borde libre que corresponden a lesiones vegetativas. Por medio de los criterios de Duke modificados se obtiene un diagnóstico definitivo de endocarditis infecciosa, para lo cual se realiza manejo médico intrahospitalario, sin evolución favorable. Los hallazgos clínicos y paraclínicos coinciden con lo reportado en la literatura. Los criterios de Duke modificados permiten orientar el diagnóstico y evidenciar signos clínicos de alarma. El manejo médico antimicrobiano deberá realizarse con base en hemocultivos y pruebas de sensibilidad, siempre teniendo en cuenta la prevalencia de patógenos y el origen primario de la infección. Se debe considerar como una patología con un pronóstico malo y un porcentaje de fatalidad alto. Finalmente, se concluye que la principal limitación del caso es la falta de confirmación histopatológica.

Abstract Infectious endocarditis is a pathological process with low incidence in the daily clinical practice. The main etiology are the bacterial agents that colonize with higher prevalence the mitral and aortic valves. This paper reports the case of a dog with a previous diagnosis of peripheral vestibular syndrome secondary to probable otitis media-interna. The dog has a sudden heart murmur, intermittent claudications, lack of appetite, depression and temperatures. It is performed an echocardiographic assessment that shows mitral valve thickening with hyperecoic structures in the free border that indicates vegetations. Using the Modified Duke Criteria, a definitive diagnosis of infectious endocarditis is concluded. The dog is provided a medical treatment at the clinic without success. The clinical and paraclinical findings match the background found in the literature. Modified Duke Criteria allow guiding the diagnosis process and uncovering the alarm clinical signs. Antimicrobial clinical treatment must be administered based on blood cultures and sensitivity tests and considering both the pathogen prevalence and infection primary origin. Doctors must deem this condition as a bad prognosis pathology with a high mortality percentage. Finally, it is concluded that the main limitation in this case is a lack of histopathological confirmation.