[A rare case of arterial thrombosis secondary to Aerococcus viridans aortic endocarditis]. / Un cas rare de thrombose artérielle secondaire à une endocardite aortique à Aerococcus viridans.

Infective endocarditis is an uncommon, yet serious disease responsible for high morbidity and mortality, its incidence is estimated at 3-10 cases per 100,000 person-years. Most infective endocarditis cases emanate from streptococcus and staphylococcus. The incrimination of Aeroccocus viridans is rarely described in the literature and it has a high rate of embolic complication. We report the case of a 31-year-old male patient, with no prior medical history, who was admitted to the cardiology department of Ibn Rochd university center due to a prolonged fever for over 6 months. At admission, his general condition was preserved, he was febrile at 38.7 °C, claudication in the right lower limb with a decrease in the peroneal artery pulse, a graded 4/6 diastolic aortic murmur on auscultation, and no signs of heart failure. The transthoracic echocardiography revealed a type I bicuspid aortic valve disease, severe aortic regurgitation, moderate aortic stenosis, and vegetation implanted on the ventricular side of the right coronary cusp. CT angiography of the lower limbs revealed a bilateral total occlusion of the tibioperoneal trunks extended to the proximal portions of the posterior tibial arteries and peroneal arteries with collateral circulation, endovascular collection, and occlusive calcified plaque of the proximal part of the right anterior tibial artery and the collateral circle. Blood tests showed an inflammatory syndrome. Blood cultures detected Aerococcus viridans. The patient was first put on ceftriaxone, gentamycin, unfractionated heparin, and analgesic-antipyretic when necessary, he was then transferred to the cardiovascular surgery department for replacement of the aortic valve and permeabilization of the lower limbs by the FOGARTY technique. Post-surgical results were satisfying. In conclusion, infective endocarditis secondary to Aerococcus viridans is rare but appears to be virulent because most often discovered at the stage of complications. Therefore, good antibiotic therapy adapted to the antibiogram results in a good prognosis.

[Delayed renal infectious aneurysm 3 months after cardiac surgery for a Streptococcus pyogenes infective endocarditis ; case report and literature review]. / Anévrysme rénal infectieux retardé, 3 mois après chirurgie cardiaque pour une endocardite infectieuse à Streptococcus pyogenes ; cas et revue de la littérature.

Infective endocarditis (IE) due to Streptococcus pyogenes (SP) (Group A Streptococcus) is uncommon and infectious renal artery aneurysm (IRAA) is an exceptional complication of IE, with few cases reported in the literature. We describe a case of SP native mitral valve IE in a 58-year-old man, presenting with large valve vegetations, abscess and severe regurgitation. Initial CT-angiography showed bilateral kidney and splenic infarcts. He underwent successful emergent bioprosthetic valve replacement. Antibiotic regimen consisted in linezolid and rifampicin for 8 weeks. Three months later, CT-angiography for feet gangrene revealed a 16mm aneurysm of the left intraparenchymal renal artery, which was occluded by coil-embolization. This case shows that an infectious aneurysm may develop several months after antibiotic treatment and emergent valve replacement for IE.

[Tetralogy of Fallot with absent pulmonary valve syndrome diagnosed in adulthood by infective endocarditis : Case of report]. / Agénésie de la valve pulmonaire avec communication interventriculaire découverte à l'âge adulte suite à une endocardite infectieuse : à propos d'un cas.

Absent pulmonary valve syndrome is a rare congenital heart disease. Associated with ventricular septal defect, it is considered a rare variant of Tetralogy of Fallot "Tetralogy of Fallot with absent pulmonary valve syndrome". It is characterized by its association with aneurysmal pulmonary arteries responsible for airways compression. Survival to adulthood of this unrepaired congenital heart disease is very rare, and the case of the patient we report in this article is added to the rare cases reported in the literature. Clinical tolerance depends on the degree of severity of the malformation and in particular on the importance of the aneurysmal dilation of the pulmonary arteries, thus determining the age of the diagnosis, the severity of symptoms, and the mode of evolution. Diagnosis of Tetralogy of Fallot with absent pulmonary valve syndrome must be established by transthoracic echography. Other investigations can be of capital contribution, such as thoracic computed tomography angiography and cardiac catheterization. The treatment is surgical and includes closure of the ventricular septal defect, relieve right ventricular outflow tract obstruction, and surgical reduction of the aneurysmal pulmonary arteries.

Infective endocarditis of a native aortic valve due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa complicated by progressive multi-drug resistance.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of infective endocarditis secondary to Pseudomonas aeruginosa can be challenging because of this organism's ability to acquire antimicrobial resistance over time. METHODS: We describe a patient with native aortic valve infective endocarditis due to P. aeruginosa who developed progressive multi-drug resistance while on therapy. The resistance mechanisms were characterized using whole-genome sequencing. RESULTS: We identified two mutations in subsequent isolates (dacB and OprD) that conferred resistance to anti-pseudomonal penicillins, cephalosporins, and carbapenems. The patient was treated with combination high-dose continuous infusion meropenem and ciprofloxacin therapy, in addition to bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement and repair of ventricular septal wall defect. Antibiotics were continued for 6 weeks post-cardiac surgery and the patient remains infection free 18 months post-completion of antibiotic therapy. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should be aware of the ability of P. aeruginosa to acquire resistance mechanisms in response to selective antibiotic pressures in high-inoculum infections such as infective endocarditis. The mutations identified in this case report correlated well with the evolving antimicrobial resistance profile observed.

HISTORIQUE: Il peut être difficile de traiter une endocardite infectieuse causée par un Pseudomonas aeruginosa en raison de la capacité de cet organisme à acquérir une résistance aux antimicrobiens. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Les chercheurs décrivent un patient atteint d'une endocardite infectieuse de la valve aortique d'origine, attribuable à un P. aeruginosa, qui a acquis une multirésistance progressive pendant son traitement. Le mécanisme de résistance était caractérisé par le séquençage du génome entier. RÉSULTATS: Les auteurs ont dépisté deux mutations dans les isolats subséquents (dacB et OprD ), responsables d'une résistance aux pénicillines, aux céphalosporines et aux carbapénèmes antipseudomonaux. Le patient a reçu une polythérapie de perfusion continue de méropénem à forte dose et de ciprofloxacine, en plus du remplacement d'une valve aortique bioprothétique et de la réparation d'une communication interventriculaire. L'antibiothérapie s'est poursuivie six semaines après l'opération, et le patient n'avait pas d'infection 18 mois après la fin de l'antibiothérapie. CONCLUSION: Les cliniciens devraient savoir que le P. aeruginosa peut acquérir des mécanismes de résistance en réponse aux pressions antibiotiques sélectives en cas d'infections comportant un titre élevé d'inoculum comme une endocardite infectieuse. Les mutations constatées dans le présent rapport de cas étaient bien corrélées avec l'évolution du profil de résistance antimicrobienne observé.

Mitral valve repair is better than mitral valve replacement in native mitral valve endocarditis: Results from a prospective matched cohort.

BACKGROUND: In native mitral valve infective endocarditis (NMIE), the respective values of mitral valve repair (MVRep) and replacement (MVR) are still debated. AIM: To compare MVRep and MVR in a large prospective matched cohort. METHODS: Between 2010 and 2017, all consecutive patients operated on for NMIE in our centre were included prospectively. Clinical and outcome features were compared between the two groups. Primary endpoint was event-free survival, including death, reoperation and relapse. Univariate and multivariable survival analyses and a propensity score analysis were performed. RESULTS: Among 152 patients, 115 (75.7%) underwent MVRep, and 37 (24.3%) MVR. Median follow-up was 28±22months. Surgery was performed during the active phase in 75.0% of patients (25.7% on an urgent basis). Compared with the MVRep group, patients in the MVR group were more frequently intravenous drug abusers (10.8% vs. 0.9%; P=0.016), had a more frequent history of rheumatic fever (13.5% vs. 0%; P=0.001), more aortic abscesses (16.7% vs. 3.5%; P=0.018), larger vegetations (16.6±8.1mm vs. 12.6±9.9mm; P=0.042) and poorer New York Heart Association status (P=0.006). Overall mortality was lower in the MVRep group than in MVR group (11.3% vs. 29.3%; P=0.018). Event-free survival was better in the MVRep group than in the MVR group in univariate analysis (hazard ratio: 2.72, 95% confidence interval: 1.34-5.52; P=0.004). Survival analysis in the propensity-matched cohort showed that MVRep was safer than MVR (log rank test: P=0.018). Multivariable analysis using the Cox proportional hazard model confirmed this finding (hazard ratio: 3.48, 95% confidence interval: 1.15-10.61; P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: MVRep is feasible in most cases of NMIE and, when technically possible, should be preferred, even in urgent surgery.

Premier cas d'endocardite infectieuse sur valve aortique prosthétique dû à Prevotella Intermedia.

INTRODUCTION: Prevotella species (i. e. P. intermedia, P. nigrescens, P. pallens, P. oris) are usually responsible for abscesses of head and neck spaces after dental procedures. P. intermedia - related infective endocarditis has never been reported. CASE REPORT: A 22-year-old man, with a history of aortic valve replacement 6 years ago, presented with fever and persistent retrosternal chest pain. An empirical antibiotic therapy was started on (cefotaxime, 2gx3 - gentamicin, 5mg/kilo). Five blood cultures were positive at Prevotella Intermedia. Metronidazole was introduced (500mg X 3 by day).The oro-pharyngeal spaces were normal. The evolution was marked by a hypotension, a third degree atrio-ventricular block, and a rapidly growing aortic root abscess complicated this case of Prevotella Intermedia infective endocarditis (IE). Aortic valve redux surgery was performed at day 5 of admission. Post-operative course was unremarkable. CONCLUSION: This first reported case of Prevotella Intermedia IE presented suggestive features of anaerobic IE as the patient developed both aortic-ring abscess, third degree atrio-ventricular block and hypotension.

Adherence to diagnostic and therapeutic practice guidelines for suspected cardiac implantable electronic device infections.

BACKGROUND: Despite guidelines describing the optimal diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for patients with suspected cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infections, their management is often challenging. AIMS: To describe our diagnostic and therapeutic practices for suspected CIED infection, and to compare them with European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) guidelines. METHODS: Patients hospitalized in the tertiary care Nancy University Hospital for suspected CIED infection from 2014 to 2019 were included retrospectively. We applied the EHRA classification of CIED infection, and compared diagnostic and therapeutic management with the EHRA guidelines. RESULTS: Among 184 patients (mean age 72.3±12.4 years), 137 had a proven infection of the lead (by transthoracic echocardiography/transoesophageal echocardiography, 18F-fluorodesoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography or positive culture of the lead) or an isolated pocket infection without proof of lead infection, and 47 had no proof of CIED infection. According to the EHRA classification, CIED infection was considered as definite in 145 patients and possible in 31 and was excluded in eight patients. Regarding recommended diagnostic procedures, blood cultures were performed in 90.8%, transthoracic echocardiography in 97.8%, transoesophageal echocardiography in 85.9%, 18F-fluorodesoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in 50.5% and imaging for embolisms in 78.3% of the patients. Compared with therapeutic recommendations for the 145 cases of definite CIED infection, device removal was performed in 96 patients (66.2%) and antibiotic therapy was prescribed in 130 (89.7%), with a duration equal to or longer than that recommended in 105 (72.4%) of the patients. CONCLUSION: This study underlines the difficulties in following theoretical guidelines in daily practice, where both technical and human considerations interfere with their strict appliance.

Coronary angiography in the setting of acute infective endocarditis requiring surgical treatment.

BACKGROUND: International guidelines recommend that preoperative coronary angiography is performed on patients at risk of coronary disease who have infective endocarditis requiring surgical treatment. However, the risks of contrast-induced nephropathy or vegetation embolization in case of aortic endocarditis should be considered. AIMS: To assess the safety, therapeutic implications and prognostic impact of coronary angiography in patients requiring surgical treatment for active infective endocarditis. METHODS: This retrospective monocentric study was conducted in patients referred to a tertiary care centre for active endocarditis management with a theoretical indication for surgery between January 2013 and February 2017. RESULTS: One hundred and ninety-three patients were included; 73.1% were men, the mean age was 61.9±16.3 years and the median EuroSCORE II was 5.8%. One hundred and nineteen patients (61.7%) had aortic endocarditis, which was associated with aortic vegetation in 74 cases (38.3%). Invasive coronary angiography was performed in 142 patients (73.6%) - 130 (91.6%) by radial approach - and 14 patients were evaluated by coronary multislice computed tomography (one patient had exploration with both techniques). Acute renal failure after coronary angiography was observed in 15 patients (10.6%), two patients (1.4%) presented a stroke within 24h after coronary angiography, but none had aortic endocarditis. Among the 178 patients (92.2%) who underwent surgery, 35 (19.7%) had significant coronary lesion(s) and 25 (14.0%) underwent an associated coronary artery bypass graft. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative coronary angiography in patients affected by infective endocarditis provides relevant information in a significant proportion of patients and can be performed safely.

Infective endocarditis following transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Trans-catheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has recently emerged as a less invasive alternative to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) in high risk patients. Although several procedures have been performed worldwide, infective endocarditis (IE) has been reported to be a rare TAVI complication, nevertheless if IE occurs it represents a life-threatening condition and treatment is challenging. TAVI-IE are thus normally treated conservatively by targeted antibiotic therapy with a high reported mortality (40%). Surgical explant represent the definitive strategy but, the intervention is at a high risk (risk of complication 87%, with an in hospital mortality of about 47%). In the present paper, we report the case of a 71-year-old patient affected by an early endocarditis after TAVI (TAVI-IE) treated at our Institution by surgical explant. The case highlights a paradox: if TAVI procedures are indicated over traditional surgical valve replacement in treatment of high surgical risk patients, what should be the best management when TAVI-IE occurs in these same population of patients?

[Surgical treatment of infective endocarditis: Surgical indications, complications, intrahospital and long-term mortality]. / Endocardites infectieuses opérées : indications chirurgicales, complications, mortalité intrahospitalière et à long terme.

BACKGROUND: In addition to medical treatment, half of the patients with infective endocarditis (IE) receive surgical treatment. Despite clear recommendations on the indications and the operating delays, the decision remains difficult and must take into consideration several factors. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed at Foch Hospital. All patients operated for IE between 2005 and 2018 were included. Patient characteristics, indications and operating delays, as well as intrahospital mortality, were noted. Patient follow-up was provided by phone calls. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients were operated on for IE between 2005 and 2018. The most frequent surgical indications were the presence of a massive symptomatic regurgitation, an uncontrolled infection and large vegetations with embolism. The average operative delay was 13.2 days with 56.5% of patients operated within the first 10 days. The most common postoperative complications were acute kidney injury (AKI) in 57.7% of cases, with 9.6% of dialysis, shock in 50% of cases, rhythm disorders in 40.4% of cases, infectious complications in 19.2% of cases, conductive disorders in 25% of cases, of which 17.3% require a definitive pacemaker implementation. The intrahospital mortality was 7.7% and the average length of hospital stay was 35 days. Survival at one year and 5 years was 95% and 85%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The indications and the operating delays were conformed to international recommendations. Intrahospital and long-term mortality rate was low.

[Infection and TAVI]. / Infection et TAVI.

Since trans-catheter valve implantation (TAVI) has emerged for severe symptomatic aortic stenosis treatment, infective endocarditis (IE) appears as a rare but severe complication. Like surgical aortic valve remplacement infective endocarditis (SAVR-IE), TAVI-IE has a noxious impact on morbidity and mortality. Compared to SAVR-IE, TAVI-IE present some similarities as well as differences. Most TAVI-IE occurred during the first year and enterococcus is the more common pathogen. A multimodality imaging approach including echocardiography, multislice computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography-CT with blood culture is necessary for the diagnosis. In this high-risk population, the vast majority of TAVI-IE patients are treated with antibiotic therapy alone. Consequently to the expanded indication, the increasing number of TAVI-IE will appear more frequently. If initially only few clinical cases of IE were reported, sparse observational multicenter registries have now been published. Relevant differences were noted on these registries, but some recent publications have provided new informations on IE. The present review reports incidence, symptoms, microbiological profil, risk factors and clinicals outcomes of TAVI-IE. Eventually, we describe the management and the treatment of IE in the context of TAVI.

[Infective prosthetic endocarditis following percutaneous edge-to-edge mitral valve repair - A Case-report of a successfully medically-treated Staphylococcus epidermidis endocarditis and a literature review]. / Endocardite infectieuse sur prothèse après implantation de Mitra-Clip ­ Cas d'un succès du traitement médical sur une endocardite à Staphylococcus epidermidis et revue de littérature.

During the last decade there has been a craze for the percutaneous edge-to-edge mitral valve repair technique with the Mitra-Clip device. This is an alternative treatment to mitral valve surgery for severe mitral regurgitation. In France, this device is aimed at poor candidates for mitral valve surgery. It involves intra-cardiac prosthetic material, which exposes them to the risk of bacterial endocarditis. The consequences of this infective disease can be dramatic, especially for these old patients who suffer from multiple comorbidities. It appears to be a rare but relatively unknown and potentially underestimated complication. The relative data remain scarce and consist of rare case-reports. We report an original case of a Methicilline-sensitive Staphylococcus epidermidis mitral endocarditis following the implantation of clips two months earlier. The patient was then successfully treated with antibiotics. Since the first Mitra-Clip implantation in 2003, only 19 cases of endocarditis have previously been reported. This article proposes a review of theses case-reports and a collection of their relevant clinical, echocardiographic and microbiological characteristics, the delivered therapies and their outcomes. These data contribute to a humble discussion around the main stakes of the disease, which are the prevention, the diagnosis, the involved bacteria's type, the prognosis and the treatments with a focus on the question of the recourse to surgical management.

[Febrile myalgia revealing Propionibacterium acnes endocarditis]. / Myalgies fébriles révélant une endocardite infectieuse à Propionibacterium acnes.

INTRODUCTION: Propionibacterium acnes endocarditis is rare and difficult to diagnose. We report a case of Propioniacterium acnes endocarditis revealed by a lower limb fasciitis. CASE REPORT: A 54-year-old patient presented with recurrent febrile myalgia of the lower limbs, that appeared three years after an aortic surgery (aortic valve sparing reimplentation and ascending aortic prosthesis implantation). Computer tomography showed fasciitis of both legs. Positron emission tomography showed 18Fluorodeoxyglucose intake of the aortic prosthesis and in muscles of the lower limbs. Ten days after blood sample drawing, cultures showed the presence of Propionibacterium acnes. The aortic prosthesis was surgically removed, whose culture confirmed infection by Propionibacterium acnes. The diagnosis of infective endocarditis revealed by lower limb emboli was made. Evolution was favorable. CONCLUSION: In patients with vascular prostheses, Propionibacterium acnes infection must be evoked face to an atypical inflammatory process. Very prolonged blood culture incubation is needed to identify the pathogen.

[Infectious endocarditis: Experience of a cardiology department at Oran university hospital]. / Endocardite infectieuse : expérience du service de cardiologie de l'établissement hospitalo-universitaire Oran.

INTRODUCTION: Infectious endocarditis (IE) is a serious disease that has continued to evolve in diagnostic and therapeutic terms. AIM: To analyze the diagnostic and out come profile. METHODS: We collected 57 (IE) cases with a definite diagnosis according to the modified Duke criteria. Patients were admitted consecutively to the Cardiology Department of the Oran university hospital from January 2011 to June 2017. Among the variables studied: clinical data, paraclinic data, therapeutic management and hospital outcome. RESULTS: The mean age was 40.5±15 years (extreme 16-67 years), with a male predominance (sex-ratio=1.5). This was a native valve IE in 70% of cases, on valve prosthesis in 15.5% of patients, on congenital heart disease in 2% and on pacemaker probe in 4% of cases. The entrance door was dominated by oral origin. Blood cultures were positive only in 51% of cases. The most commonly implicated organism in staphylococci in 22.6%, streptococcus in 18.9% and brucellosis in 3.8%. Ultrasound data revealed vegetation (83%), cardiac abscess (19%), valvular perforation (15.1%) and prosthesis disintegration (7.5%). Complications were mainly neurological complications (27%) and hemodynamics (26%). Cardiac surgery occurred in 29% of patients. Hospital mortality was 26%, predictive factors were staphylococcal AI (P<0.001), cardiac insufficiency (P<0.001) and neurological complications (P=0.04). CONCLUSION: Infectious endocarditis is a serious disease in the absence of surgery. The diagnosis is based on echocardiography in the first place and blood cultures. The population is often young revealing the EI by complications; its prevention is the best way to improve its prognosis.

Management of infective endocarditis and multidisciplinary approach.

INTRODUCTION: The morbi-mortality related to infective endocarditis (IE) remains high as the epidemiology has changed over the last years: ageing of patients, comorbidity and healthcare-associated infections. To optimize IE management, a weekly endocarditis multidisciplinary meeting (EMM) was set up at our facility. We present the activity report of the EMM. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients hospitalized for IE who were presented at the weekly EMM between January 2013 and June 2017 were prospectively included. The main objective was to assess the impact of the EMM on the management of community-acquired IE and healthcare-associated IE by analyzing in-hospital case fatality. RESULTS: Of the 1139 cases reported during the EMM for suspicion of IE, 493 (86% were definite cases) were selected for the study: 262 patients had community-acquired IE and 231 had healthcare-associated IE; 43% of IEs involved a valvular prosthesis. Following the EMM, infections were documented in 92% of cases: staphylococci in 45% of healthcare-associated IEs and streptococci in 44% of community-acquired IE cases. A septic embolism was diagnosed in 57% of cases. Finally, 49% of patients underwent surgery. The in-hospital case fatality was 12% with no significant difference between community-acquired IEs and healthcare-associated IEs. Case fatality was also significantly higher in elderly patients, in the absence of surgical treatment, initial heart failure, or Staphylococcus aureus IE. CONCLUSION: The weekly EMM allows our facility to follow the European Society of Cardiology guidelines and to adapt the management of each patient to improve IE prognosis.

Infective endocarditis without biological inflammatory syndrome: Description of a particular entity.

BACKGROUND: Bacterial infective endocarditis (IE) is rarely suspected in patients with a low C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration. AIMS: To address the incidence, characteristics and outcome of left-sided valvular IE with low CRP concentration. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of cases of IE discharged from our institution between January 2009 and May 2017. The 10% lowest CRP concentration (<20mg/L) was used to define low CRP concentration. Right-sided cardiac device-related IE, non-bacterial IE, sequelar IE and IE previously treated by antibiotics were excluded. RESULTS: Of the 469 patients, 13 (2.8%; median age 68 [61-76] years) had definite (n=8) or possible (n=5) left-sided valvular IE with CRP<20mg/L (median 9.3 [4.7-14.2] mg/L). The median white blood cell count was 6.3 (5.3-7.5) G/L. The main presentations were heart failure (n=7; 54%) and stroke (n=3; 23%). Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) showed vegetations (n=5) or isolated valvular regurgitation (n=4). Overall, eight patients (62%) had severe valvular lesions on transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE), and nine patients (69%) underwent cardiac surgery. All patients survived at 1-year follow-up. Bacterial pathogens were documented in eight patients (streptococci, coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, Corynebacteriumjeikeium, HACEK group, Coxiella burnetii, Bartonella henselae) using blood cultures, serology or valve culture and/or polymerase chain reaction analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Left-sided valvular IE with limited or no biological syndrome is rare, but is often associated with severe valvular and paravalvular lesions. TOE should be performed in presence of unexplained heart failure, new valvular regurgitation or cardioembolic stroke when TTE is insufficient to rule out endocarditis, even in patients with a low CRP concentration.

Acute kidney injury in infective endocarditis: A retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with high case fatality in infective endocarditis (IE), but epidemiological data on the frequency of AKI during IE is scarce. We aimed to describe the frequency and risk factors for AKI during the course of IE using Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes consensual criteria. METHODS: Using the French hospital discharge database (French acronym PMSI), we retrospectively reviewed the charts of 112 patients presenting with a first episode of probable or definite IE between January 2010 and May 2015. RESULTS: Seventy-seven patients (68.8%) developed AKI. In univariate analysis, risk factors for AKI were cardiac surgery for IE (n=29, 37.7% vs. n=4, 1.4%, P<0.0005), cardiac failure (n=29, 36.7% vs. n=1, 2.9%, P<0.0005), diabetes mellitus (n=14, 18.2% vs. n=1, 0.9%, P=0.034), and prosthetic valve IEs (n=24, 31.2% vs. n=4, 11.4%). No differences were observed for gentamicin exposure (n=57, 64% vs. n=32, 86.5%, P=0.286). Prosthetic valve IE, cardiac failure, and vancomycin exposure were independently associated with AKI with respective odds ratio of 5.49 (95% CI 1.92-17.9), 4.37 (95% CI 4.37-465.7), and 1.084 (1.084-16.2). Mean length of hospital stay was significantly longer in patients presenting with AKI than in controls (respectively 52.4±22.1 days vs. 39.6±12.6, P<0.005). CONCLUSION: AKI is very frequent during IE, particularly in patients with prosthetic valve IE, cardiac failure, and those receiving vancomycin.

[Infective endocarditis in Morocco through the experience of a hospital department]. / L'endocardite infectieuse au Maroc à travers l'expérience d'un service hospitalier.

Infective endocarditis is a grave disease because of a high level of morbidity and mortality. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 100 patients hospitalized for infective endocarditis from January 2009 until December 2015. The mean age was 41 years with a male predominance. Infective endocarditis occurs on a native valve (77 patients), prosthetic valves (12 patients), Pacemaker (7 patients) and congenital heart disease (4 patients). The diagnostic delay was 77 days on average. The fever was present in 85 patients. Blood cultures were negative in 54 patients. Echocardiography allowed visualizing the vegetations in 95 patients. In patients with prosthetics valves, a paraprosthetic regurgitation was diagnosed in 54 % of these patients and vegetation in 18 %. The main complications are heart failure (42), neurological (19), spleen (10) and renal (23) complications. The evolution under medical treatment was marked by the clinical-laboratory improvement in 57 patients, the lack of improvement with persistent fever in 21 patients. The mortality rate of our series is 23 %. Only seven patients underwent urgent surgery for hemodynamic and infectious indications. At the end of this work, it is emphasized that the epidemiological profile of infective endocarditis does not follow the changes of Wold. Its management is difficult in our context (significant diagnostic delay, often negative blood cultures, high level of morbidity, lack of recourse to early surgery). The improvement of this disease consistes of the prevention of acute articular rhumatism and the establishment of an heart team endocarditis to adapt international recommendations to our context.

French national survey on infective endocarditis and the Melody™ valve in percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation (PPVI) is a routine treatment for dysfunctional right ventricular outflow tract. Infective endocarditis (IE) is a major concern. AIM: To report French experience with the Melody™ valve (Medtronic Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA). METHODS: All patients who underwent PPVI were recorded in a multicentre French national survey. Demographic and procedural data were collected from patients with IE. Bacterial identification, diagnostic tools and outcome were recorded. RESULTS: Forty-five cases of IE were diagnosed in 43 patients. The cumulative IE incidence was 11.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 8.5-15.9). The annualized IE incidence was 3.6% (95% CI 0-4.8). Freedom from IE was 96.3% and 85.8% at 12 months and 60 months, respectively. IE incidence did not change during the study period. The mean interval between PPVI and IE was 2.6±2.1 years (range, 5 days to 7.3 years). Fifteen patients with IE required intravenous antibiotics only. Seven patients had early interventional cardiac catheterization to relieve severe right ventricular outflow tract obstruction. Twenty-four patients had surgical valve replacement (six urgently; nine semi-urgently; nine electively). Staphylococcus aureus IE required surgery in all but one patient. Three patients died before any treatment. Three additional patients died, giving a mortality rate of 14%. Global survival in the total cohort of patients who received a Melody valve was excellent (96.5% at 5 years). When comparing survival curves between the IE and non-IE groups, death and cardiovascular events were statistically significantly higher in the IE group (log-rank P<0.0001). CONCLUSION: Melody valve IE is a severe complication following PPVI. The annualized IE incidence in this cohort was similar to rates reported in other studies. With rapid diagnosis and adequate treatment, outcome has improved, and unfavourable outcome is mainly associated with S. aureus.

Intracranial haemorrhage in infective endocarditis.

BACKGROUND: Although intracranial cerebral haemorrhage (ICH) complicating infective endocarditis (IE) is a critical clinical issue, its characteristics, impact, and prognosis remain poorly known. AIMS: To assess the incidence, mechanisms, risk factors and prognosis of ICH complicating left-sided IE. METHODS: In this single-centre study, 963 patients with possible or definite left-sided IE were included from January 2000 to December 2015. RESULTS: Sixty-eight (7%) patients had an ICH (mean age 57±13 years; 75% male). ICH was classified into three groups according to mechanism: ruptured mycotic aneurysm (n=22; 32%); haemorrhage after ischaemic stroke (n=27; 40%); and undetermined aetiology (n=19; 28%). Five variables were independently associated with ICH: platelet count<150×109/L (odds ratio [OR] 2.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-5.4; P=0.049); severe valve regurgitation (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.3-7.6; P=0.008); ischaemic stroke (OR 4.2, 95% CI 1.9-9.4; P<0.001); other symptomatic systemic embolism (OR 14.1, 95% CI 5.1-38.9; P<0.001); and presence of mycotic aneurysm (OR 100.2, 95% CI 29.2-343.7; P<0.001). Overall, 237 (24.6%) patients died within 2.3 (0.7-10.4) months of follow-up. ICH was not associated with increased mortality (P not significant). However, the 1-year mortality rate differed according to ICH mechanism: 14%, 15% and 45% in patients with ruptured mycotic aneurysm, haemorrhage after ischaemic stroke and undetermined aetiology, respectively (P=0.03). In patients with an ICH, mortality was higher in non-operated versus operated patients when cardiac surgery was indicated (P=0.005). No operated patient had neurological deterioration. CONCLUSIONS: ICH is a common complication of left-sided IE. The impact on prognosis is dependent on mechanism (haemorrhage of undetermined aetiology). We observed a higher mortality rate in patients who had conservative treatment when cardiac surgery was indicated compared with in those who underwent cardiac surgery.