[Neurological complications of infective endocarditis in Burkina Faso. Clinical features, management and evolutionary profile]. / Les complications neurologiques des endocardites infectieuses au Burkina Faso. Caractéristiques cliniques, prise en charge et profil évolutif.

INTRODUCTION: Neurological complications are the most frequent extracardiac complications of infective endocarditis (IE). This study aimed to describe the epidemiological, clinical and paraclinical aspects, and outcome of neurological complications of infective endocarditis in three hospitals in the city of Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso. PATIENTS AND METHOD: From 1 January 2009 to 31 December 2012, we included all patients suffering from IE and selected those in whom a neurological complication was objectified. Neurological involvement was sought on clinical examination but especially CT brain (ischemic infarcts, hemorrhages, aneurysms and abscesses). Blood cultures were systematic. Echocardiography was done for vegetations and characteristics. RESULTS: Among 63 cases of IE, neurological complications were found in 14 patients (22.2%). The average age of patients with neurological complications was 37.4 ± 5.8 years. The sex ratio was 1.3 for women. Neurological damage consisted of nine cases of stroke (64.3%), three cases of hemorrhagic stroke (21.4%) and two cases of brain abscess (14.3%). Neurological complications had already occurred before hospitalization in 4 cases. Blood cultures were positive in 8 cases. Germs found were predominantly Staphylococcus aureus (5 cases) and Streptococcus a- viridans (2 cases). All cases of S. aureus were complicated by stroke. At echocardiography, vegetation was found in all cases. It was found on the mitral in 7 cases, the aorta in 3 cases, the mitral and aortic in 2 cases and the mitral and tricuspid in 2 cases also. The EI had occurred on a native valve in 11 cases, prosthesis in 4 cases (2 mitral and 2 aortic). The vegetations average diameter was 11.2 ± 2.1 mm (6.4 and 1 7.7 mm). Vegetations were mobile in 12 cases. The treatment consisted of antibiotics adapted to the antibiogram, neurological and cardiovascular monitoring. The evolution was marked by seven deaths (50%), including 5 deaths related to cerebral complication (71.4% of deaths). CONCLUSION: This study shows that neurological complications during infective endocarditis are frequent, dominated by stroke with a high mortality.

Evaluation of vancomycin population susceptibility analysis profile as a predictor of outcomes for patients with infective endocarditis due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Infective endocarditis due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA IE) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Vancomycin continues to be the primary treatment for this disease. The emergence of heterogeneous vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (hVISA), defined as a modified population analysis profile (PAP) of ≥ 0.9, may affect patient outcomes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship of vancomycin subpopulation susceptibility and the clinical outcomes of MRSA IE. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients treated with vancomycin for MRSA IE from 2002 to 2013 at the Detroit Medical Center. A modified PAP was used to measure the vancomycin PAP MIC and the PAP-to-area under the curve (AUC) ratio. Treatment failure was defined as bacteremia for ≥ 7 days or death attributed to MRSA. Classification and regression tree (CART) analysis was used to select a failure breakpoint between the PAP-AUC ratios and the PAP MIC. A total of 202 patients were included in the study. Twenty-seven percent of the patients had left-sided IE, 19% of the strains were hVISA, and 70% of the strains were staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec element (SCCmec) type IV. Overall treatment failure was observed in 64%; 59% had persistent bacteremia, and the 30-day attributable mortality rate was 21%. The CART breakpoint between failure and success in terms of the PAP-AUC ratio was 0.9035. On logistic regression analysis, intensive care unit (ICU) admission (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5 to 5.2) and a PAP MIC of ≥ 4 mg/liter (aOR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.3 to 8.4) were associated with failure (P = 0.001 and 0.015, respectively). A PAP MIC of ≥ 4 mg/liter and ICU admission were significant for treatment failure for patients with MRSA IE. The PAP-AUC ratio of ≥ 0.9035 predicted failure consistent with the hVISA definition. The role of population MIC analysis in predicting outcome with MRSA infections warrants further investigation.

Impact of vancomycin minimum inhibitory concentration on mortality among critically ill patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia.

We retrospectively evaluated 99 intensive care unit patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia to determine whether having a vancomycin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 2 mg/L affected mortality. This MIC was found in 5.1% of patients and was associated with the probability of death (adjusted odds ratio, 13.9 [95% confidence interval, 1.1-171.2]) independent of other factors.

Survival and quality of life after aortic root replacement with homografts in acute endocarditis.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of prosthetic aortic valve endocarditis and native aortic valve endocarditis with abscess formation is associated with high mortality and morbidity. Aortic root replacement with a freestanding aortic homograft is an attractive alternative. We report outcome and quality of life after homograft replacement for infective endocarditis. METHODS: Sixty-two patients with infective prosthetic valve endocarditis (n = 31) or native valve endocarditis with abscess (n = 31), operated with homograft replacement were included. Thirty-day mortality, severe operative complications (dialysis, stroke, pacemaker implantation, myocardial infarction, and prolonged mechanical ventilation), midterm survival, reoperations, and quality of life were assessed after a mean follow-up of 37 ± 11 months. RESULTS: Nine patients (15%) died within 30 days and 22 patients (35%) had severe perioperative complications. Preoperative and perioperative variables univariately associated with early mortality were higher (Cleveland Clinic risk score [p = 0.014], extracorporeal circulation time [p = 0.003], prolonged inotropic support [p = 0.03], reoperation for bleeding [p = 0.01], and perioperative myocardial infarction [p < 0.001].) Cumulative survival was 82%, 78%, 75%, and 67% at one, three, five, and ten years, respectively. One patient was reoperated due to recurrence of endocarditis nine months after surgery and one after five years due to homograft failure. Quality of life, as assessed by the 36 item short-form health survey scales for physical and mental health, was not significantly different to an age-matched and gender-matched healthy control group. CONCLUSIONS: Severe acute aortic endocarditis treated with homograft replacement is still associated with a substantial early complication rate and mortality. Long-term survival and quality of life are satisfactory in patients surviving the immediate postoperative period.

Treatment of endocarditis with teicoplanin: a retrospective analysis of 104 cases.

Infective endocarditis is an uncommon disease but retains a high mortality. Glycopeptides are used for patients with resistant pathogens, those allergic to penicillins or for those outside the hospital. The once daily administration of teicoplanin and its low toxicity suggest that it would be suitable for use in the long courses required for endocarditis. However, the dosage and combinations to be used require further study. A retrospective review has been made of 104 episodes of endocarditis treated with teicoplanin in 101 patients seen over 7 years. Most patients had been referred to major London hospitals following failure of medical treatment. After three loading doses of 400 mg, teicoplanin was given at a dose of 400 mg/day in combination with other antibiotics such as gentamicin. Follow up was for one year. The most common pathogens were Streptococcus sanguis (15 cases), Staphylococcus aureus (13 cases) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (10 cases). Of 80 patients febrile at the start of treatment with teicoplanin, 63 (79%) lost their fever within a median of 2 days (1-35 days). Cure without surgery was effected in 50 (48%) and 75% of patients survived. Other antibiotics, usually gentamicin or rifampicin, were used in 92 (90%) of patients. Two strains of Streptococcus spp. were said to be resistant but there was no relationship between MIC of teicoplanin and outcome. Pathogens with a high MBC tended to be more likely to resist treatment. Adverse effects resulted in the withdrawal of teicoplanin in 20 cases (19%) but most events were mild and renal deterioration occurred in only five patients. Teicoplanin was effective in the treatment of endocarditis and appeared to be safe given the severity of disease in the patients treated.