[Infective endocarditis caused by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae--case report]. / Infekcyjne zapalenie wsierdzia wywolane paleczka rózycy.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is an infectious disease, which leads to death when is untreated. In most cases IE is caused by typical bacteria. IE caused by atypical bacteria is rare. In this paper, we describe a female patient with IE caused by Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae (ER). Due to inflammation and leaflets' damage she underwent double-valve implantation (aortic and mitral ones). A long-term antibiotic therapy was given with good outcome. We also describe the organism, types of human diseases caused by ER and treatment options.

[Is there any difference in quality of life after 12 months surgical treatment of acquired heart valve disease in comparison to results after three months?]. / Czy istnieje róznica w jakosci zycia po 12 miesiacach od operacji nabytych wad zastawkowych w porównaniu z wynikami uzyskanymi po 3 miesiacach?

The quality of life in eighty patients three and twelve months after surgical treatment of acquired heart valve disease was assessed. The significant extension of distance in 6 minute walk test and clinical improvement measured in change of NYHA functional classes after three and twelve months was noticed. However twelve months after valve replacement in comparison to results after three months no further improvement of quality of life in the matter of physical, psychical and social factors was seen.

[The evaluation of the left ventricle function in patients with aortic stenosis and severe heart failure after surgical treatment of valvular heart disease]. / Ocena funkcji lewej komory u chorych ze zwezeniem zastawki aortalnej w okresie skrajnej niewydolnosci serca po leczeniu operacyjnym wady zastawkowej.

Surgical treatment of aortic stenosis in patients (pts) with severe heart failure represents high-risk procedure. The aim of this study was to identify prognostic factors and assess the late outcome after aortic valve replacement (AVR) in patients with isolated aortic stenosis and left ventricle ejection fraction (EF) < or = 40%. The study group consisted of 37 pts 25 (67%) men and 12 (33%) women, aged 57 +/- 12 yrs. Mean follow-up period was 18 +/- 17 months (range 6 to 72 months). Before AVR and within follow-up period clinical assessment was based on NYHA classes and echocardiographic study to evaluate left ventricle function. Early mortality rate was 8.3%, late mortality was 5.8%. EF significantly improved from 27 +/- 7% to 59 +/- 15% (p < 0.001) after AVR. It was accompanied by clinical improvement. Left ventricle function improvement did not depend on age, sex of patients, concomitant revascularization and preoperative maximum transaortic gradient. Significant correlation (r = -0.4, p = 0.02) between preoperative left ventricle end-diastolic diameter and postoperative EF improvement was noted.