Subject(s)
Atrial Septum/diagnostic imaging , Cardiomyopathies/complications , Cerebellar Neoplasms/complications , Cerebellum/diagnostic imaging , Heart Atria/diagnostic imaging , Cardiomyopathies/diagnosis , Cerebellar Neoplasms/diagnosis , Diagnosis, Differential , Echocardiography , Female , Hemangioma, Cavernous , Humans , Hypertrophy , Lipomatosis , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Middle AgedABSTRACT
Enterococci are common organisms associated with endocarditis, but infection by Enterococcus durans is very rare. To our knowledge, only 3 cases have been reported in the medical literature, and all 3 have involved native valves. Here we publish the first reported case (to our knowledge) of E. durans endocarditis in association with a bioprosthetic aortic valve. After the organism and its antibiotic susceptibility were identified, the 74-year-old male patient was treated successfully with teicoplanin and gentamicin, over a course of 6 weeks.
Subject(s)
Aortic Valve/microbiology , Endocarditis, Bacterial/microbiology , Enterococcus/isolation & purification , Heart Valve Diseases/microbiology , Aged , Anti-Bacterial Agents/administration & dosage , Aortic Valve/diagnostic imaging , Echocardiography , Endocarditis, Bacterial/diagnosis , Endocarditis, Bacterial/drug therapy , Heart Valve Diseases/diagnosis , Heart Valve Diseases/drug therapy , Humans , Injections, Intravenous , MaleABSTRACT
In selected cases, resection of a prolapsing scallop of the posterior leaflet (generally P2) is not advisable because of the excessive length of insertion of the scallop. In such cases, insertion of artificial chordae is advisable, but the height of the scallop needs to be reduced. We used longitudinal plication of the scallop(s) in which the height was excessive with "U" sutures in 11 consecutive patients. Early and intermediate echocardiographic results were fully satisfying, and we expect that the morphologic aspect of the repaired mitral valve will remain stable after a longer follow-up.
Subject(s)
Cardiac Surgical Procedures , Mitral Valve Prolapse/surgery , Mitral Valve/surgery , Chordae Tendineae/surgery , Humans , Mitral Valve Insufficiency/surgery , Mitral Valve Prolapse/pathology , Suture TechniquesABSTRACT
Antagonists of platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa have an approved role in preventing acute complications and coronary events in the setting of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Their use in unstable coronary syndromes out of the PCI setting is however debated. This paper summarizes reasons for the ongoing debate and highlights areas of uncertainty.