Comprehensive geriatric assessment in older patients suffering from infective endocarditis. A prospective multicentric cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim was to describe the impact of infective endocarditis (IE) on functional, cognitive and nutritional statuses, and to estimate the influence of these parameters on surgical management and mortality. METHOD: This was a prospective study over 13 months in 14 French hospitals, including patients ≥75 years of age with definite or possible IE. A comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) was performed during the first week of hospitalization, including a retrospective estimation of functional status 2 months before hospitalization, and 3 months after. RESULTS: A total of 120 patients were included (mean age 83.1 ± 5.0 (75-101) years). IE was associated with a dramatic impairment of functional status between 2 months prior hospitalization and the first geriatric evaluation (90.8% able to walk vs. 35.5% (p < 0.0001), ADL (Activities in Daily Living) 5.0 ± 1.7 vs. 3.1 ± 2.1 (p < 0.0001)). The 19 operated patients (15.8%) had less comorbidities (cumulative illness rating scale geriatric 10.8 ± 8.2 vs. 15.3 ± 7.1 (p 0.0176)), better functional (ADL 5.9 ± 0.4 vs. 4.9 ± 1.8 (p 0.0171) and nutritional (mini nutritional assessment 20.4 ± 5.0 vs. 17.3 ± 6.2 (p 0.0501)) statuses than non-operated patients. Among all infectious, cardiac and geriatric parameters, body mass index (HR 0.9, range 0.8-1, p 0.05) and ADL at the time of the first evaluation (HR 0.7, range 0.6-0.9, p 0.002) were the sole independent predictors of the 3-month (32.5%) and 1-year mortality (42.5%). Three months later, the 57 assessed patients only partially recovered their ADL (3.7 ± 1.9 vs. 5.3 ± 1.4 2 months prior hospitalization and 4.6 ± 1.9 at the first CGA; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Functional and nutritional abilities are crucial components that can be accurately explored through a CGA when managing IE in oldest patients.

[Tracheobronchial amyloidosis: apropos of 2 cases]. / Amylose trachéobronchique: à propos de deux cas.

INTRODUCTION: Tracheo-bronchial amyloidosis is an uncommon localized form of amyloidosis. We report two new cases. EXEGESIS: Two patients had developed expiratory dyspnea for several months. CT-scan and flexible bronchoscopy confirmed tracheal narrowing and a diagnosis of tracheo-bronchial amyloidosis was made by tissue biopsies. The immunohistochemical type was AL in one case, undetermined in the other case. There was no argument for systemic involvement. The two patients benefited from bronchoscopic dilatation. This treatment improved clinical symptoms and pulmonary function tests with a follow up of 12 and 18 months respectively. CONCLUSION: Tracheo-bronchial amyloidosis is a localised form of amyloidosis with various respiratory symptoms. Diagnosis is made by CT-scan and flexible bronchoscopy that allows biopsies. Immunohistochemical type is more often AL. Recurrence, respiratory insufficiency and tracheo-bronchial metaplasia are the most important complications. Treatment consists of bronchoscopic dilatation or excision, and bronchoscopic laser-YAG. Pulmonary function testing allows precise follow-up.