A rare Serratia marcescens-associated acute endocarditis of a tricuspid valve in an intravenous drug user : A case report and literature review.

Serratia marcescens is a gram-negative bacillus that is an opportunistic agent in respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, and septicemia. It is rarely also a cause of infective endocarditis which follows a rapid and devastating course, typically in persons with history of intravenous drug use (IDU). This article reports a fatal case of a 27-year-old patient with a known history of IDU, who presented with clinical symptoms concerning right-sided endocarditis as well as signs of acute respiratory distress syndrome. Finally, a detailed review of the literature is provided concerning the acute endocarditis of a tricuspid valve, especially associated with Serratia marcescens infection.

Rare Source of Embolism in a Young Patient: Case Report and Literature Review.

We present a case of a 31-year-old patient, smoker, with no previous medical history, presenting with acute limb ischemia and infarction of the spleen due to peripheral embolism. The source of embolism was thrombi formations in the left ventricular cavity, located in the area of the regional wall motions abnormalities. CT and coronary angiography confirmed the total occlusion of the left anterior descending artery with collateralization. The patient underwent acute bilateral embolectomy of the iliac, femoral, and popliteal arteries. Subsequently, cardiothoracic surgery was indicated with coronary bypass surgery and extirpation of left ventricular masses, later confirmed as thrombus by pathology characteristics. Hematological examinations proved homozygous thrombophilia, and the patient was indicated for lifelong anticoagulation therapy.

Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in diagnosis of intermediate atrioventricular septal defect in the adult: case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Intermediate type atrioventricular septal defect is less frequent than complete or partial atrioventricular septal defect, and is rarely encountered in the elderly and the utility of three dimensional transesophageal echocardiography in the diagnosis has not been reported to date. CASE PRESENTATION: In this case report, we described a rare case of an intermediate atrioventricular septal defect in an adult patient and we showed the valuable utility of real time 3D transesophageal echocardiography in the diagnosis and future surgical planning. The patient was referred to a tertiary center for an elective surgical repair. Finally, we provided a detailed review of the literature concerning the intermediate type of atrioventricular septal defect. CONCLUSION: Although 2D transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography enables diagnosis of the intermediate type atrioventricular septal defect, precise assessment of anatomy of atrioventricular septal defects and common atrioventricular valve was enabled only by real time 3D echocardiography.

Primary and secondary aortopathy associated with adult congenital heart disease - retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Primary and secondary aortopathy are frequently encountered in patients with congenital heart disease. The aim of this study is to present our experience and the incidence of primary and secondary adult CHD-associated aortopathy. METHODS: The cohort is comprised of adult patients with congenital heart disease from the registry of the Eastern Slovakia Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases. Data from the last follow-up examinations are included in this study. In the primary and secondary aortopathy groups were 35 and 12 patients respectively. As a control group were selected 64 patients with non aortopathy associated congenital heart disease (atrial and ventricular septal defect). RESULTS: Patients with primary and secondary aortopathy had larger ascending aorta/aortic root diameters than the control group (36.28 (26-49) mm vs 30.25 (21-41) mm p = 0.000113, 33.82 27-49) mm vs 29.03 (19-38)mm p = 0.000366 and 42.1 (30-50) mm vs 30.25 (21-41) mm, p = 0.000106, 35.67 (27-48) mm vs 29.03 (19-38) mm, p = 0.000119 respectively). Moreover, patients with secondary aortopathy had statistically significant larger ascending aorta diameter compared to the patients with primary aortopathy (42.1 (30-50) mm vs 36.28 (26-49) mm p = 0.030). During the follow-up period, were performed only in 2 patients (one from each group) operations on the aortic root and the ascending aorta due to aortic root or ascending aorta dilatation. CONCLUSION: More patients with secondary aortopathy had dilated ascending aorta/ aortic root, as well as larger aortic diameters compare to the patients with primary aortopathy. Routine follow-up of these patients with attention to aortic diameter is necessary.

Etiology of syncope in patients with preexisting atrioventricular conduction disorders.

BACKGROUND: The discussion about the feasibility of empiric pacemaker implantation in patients with preexisting atrioventricular (AV) conduction disorders continues. The aim of the study was to determine the etiology of syncope and the need for pacemaker insertion in patients with AV conduction impairment using implantable loop recorder (ILR). METHODS: ILR was implanted after negative diagnostic workup in 37 patients with syncope (24 men, 13 women, age 72 ± 10 years) and preexisting impairment of AV conduction. First-degree AV block (AVB I) was present in 26 patients, and bundle branch block (BBB) in 17 patients. RESULTS: ILR-based diagnosis was made in 28 patients (75%)-sinus arrest in 13 patients, complete AVB in 10 patients, and vasodepressor syncope in five patients. In patients with preexisting BBB, sinus arrest occurred during ILR monitoring significantly more frequently than in patients without BBB (53% vs 20%, P = .03). Complete AVB was significantly less common in patients with preexisting BBB than in patients without BBB (12% vs 40%, P = .04). On multivariate regression analysis, the only independent predictor of AVB occurrence during ILR monitoring was preexisting AVB I (P = .03). The only independent predictor of sinus arrest during ILR monitoring was preexisting BBB (P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with preexisting AV conduction disorders, prevailing syncopal mechanism during ILR monitoring was asystole. However, sinus arrest occurred more often than complete AVB and was predicted by preexisting BBB. Preexisting AVB was a predictor of complete AVB during ILR monitoring.

The occurrence of postoperative atrial fibrillation according to different surgical settings in cardiac surgery patients.

OBJECTIVES: Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia after cardiac surgery. The pathogenesis of postoperative atrial fibrillation is multifactorial. The aim of the study was to analyse preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative factors and their relationships with the occurrence and duration of atrial fibrillation. METHODS: One hundred and ninety-six patients with coronary heart disease (152 men, age 62.7 ± 10.1 years) underwent surgical revascularization. Extracorporeal circulation was used in 64 patients and minimal extracorporeal circulation was used in 75 patients. Fifty-seven patients underwent surgery without extracorporeal circulation. During the first three postoperative days, subjects were monitored for the duration and incidence of atrial fibrillation, laboratory markers of inflammation (C-reactive protein, leucocytes) and serum potassium. RESULTS: Demographic data and associated cardiovascular diseases in the groups were not statistically different. The overall incidence of atrial fibrillation was 56% (110 patients). The highest incidence of atrial fibrillation was found in the extracorporeal circulation subgroup, with a significantly lower incidence using minimal extracorporeal circulation, and in patients operated on without extracorporeal circulation (75 vs 47 vs 46%, P <0.001). The longest duration of atrial fibrillation was found in patients operated on with extracorporeal circulation compared with minimal extracorporeal circulation, and without extracorporeal circulation (9.7 ± 11.6 vs 4.9 ± 8.3 vs 3.1 ± 5.2, P ≤0.001). The incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation significantly correlated with elevation of inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, leucocytes) compared with patients who were free of atrial fibrillation (P ≤0.001, P ≤0.05). The values of serum potassium were not significantly different. The relationship between postoperative atrial fibrillation and echocardiographic parameters was not confirmed. CONCLUSIONS: The use of extracorporeal circulation leads to a higher incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation compared with the use of minimal extracorporeal circulation or with surgery without extracorporeal circulation, probably due to enhanced systemic inflammatory response.