Impact of multidisciplinary Endocarditis Team on management of infective endocarditis.

Infective Endocarditis (IE) is a complex, life-threatening disease. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of the Endocarditis-Team on management of IE. This observational study conducted at a university hospital (2015‒22), included adult patients with IE. The study period was divided in two periods: before (pre-Endocarditis-Team; pre-ET) and after the establishment of the Endocarditis-Team (post-Endocarditis-Team; post-ET) on January 2018. Among 505 IE episodes (187 in pre-Endocarditis-Team, 318 in post-ET period), 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography was more commonly used in post-ET period (14 % vs. 28 %; p < 0.001). Overall, thirty-day and one-year mortality were 14 % and 27 %, respectively; no difference was observed between the two periods. In post-ET period, the administration of 4-weeks, rather than 6-weeks, of intravenous antimicrobial treatment was higher than in the post-ET period (15 % vs. 45 %; p < 0.001). Indication for surgery was present in 115 (61 %) patients in pre-ET and in 153 (48 %) in the post-ET period. In post-ET period, among patients with indication, valve surgery was more frequently performed (66 % vs. 78 %; p = 0.038). Such difference was due to a higher acceptance of operative indication by the cardiac surgeon (69 % vs. 94 %; p = 0.013). The observed increase in number of patients benefiting from cardiac surgery in the post-ET period led to a decrease of subsequent embolic events, since among patients with operative indication (n = 268), new embolic events after the establishment of the indication were more common in the pre-ET period compared to post-ET (23 % vs. 12 %; p = 0.033). After the implementation of the multidisciplinary Endocarditis-Team we observed several improvements in the general management of IE patients.

Clinical outcomes of HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device support with a Bridge to Transplant vs a Destination Therapy strategy: a single-centre retrospective cohort.

INTRODUCTION: Real-world outcomes with the HeartMate 3 left ventricular assist device (LVAD) depending on whether it's a bridge to transplantation (BTT) or destination therapy (DT) are poorly studied. We aimed to compare the profile and clinical outcomes of patients supported with HeartMate 3 according to a BTT or a DT pre-implantation strategy. METHODS: All patients consecutively implanted with HeartMate 3 at our centre (University Hospital of Lausanne, Switzerland) in 2015-2022 were analysed in a retrospective observational study. Indications for HeartMate 3 implantation were advanced heart failure despite optimal medical treatment. Patients were treated with a vitamin K antagonist anticoagulant combined with antiplatelet therapy after HeartMate 3 implantation and were followed up monthly at our institution. RESULTS: Among 71 patients implanted with HeartMate 3 between 2015 and 2022, 51 (71.8%) were implanted as a BTT and 20 (28.2%) as DT. Their median age was 58 (IQR: 52-69) years and 84% of patients were classified as INTERMACS profiles 2-4. The median follow-up duration was 18.3 (IQR: 7.5-33.9) months. Patients in the DT group were older than those in the BTT group (p <0.001) and had more chronic renal failure (p <0.001). They also had a lower 5-year survival rate (mean ± standard error: 87.3 ± 5.6% vs 49.4 ± 15.1%) and more adverse events such as renal dysfunction requiring temporary perioperative dialysis (p = 0.08) or bleeding (p = 0.06). CONCLUSION: Although patients supported with HeartMate 3 have favourable survival, those with LVAD-DT have poorer outcomes. There is a need to better select patients eligible for LVAD-DT in order to limit the burden of adverse events and improve their prognosis.

Intraoperative Dexmedetomidine Use for Enhanced Recovery after Surgery (ERAS) in Cardiac Surgery-Single Center Retrospective Observational Cohort Study.

Background and Objectives: Dexmedetomidine, an alpha-2 agonist, is used as an adjunct to anesthesia in enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs. One of its advantages is the opioid-sparing effect which can facilitate early extubation and recovery. When the ERAS cardiac society was set in 2017, our facility was already using the ERAS program, in which the "fast-track Anesthesia" was facilitated by the intraoperative infusion of dexmedetomidine. Our objective is to share our experience and investigate the potential impact of intraoperative dexmedetomidine use as a part of the ERAS program on patient outcomes in elective cardiac surgery. Materials and Methods: An observational retrospective cohort study was conducted at a university hospital in Switzerland. The patients who underwent elective cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass between 1 June 2017 and 31 August 2018 were included in this analysis (n = 327). Regardless of the surgery type, all the patients received a standardized fast-track anesthesia protocol inclusive of dexmedetomidine infusion, reduced opioid dose, and parasternal nerve block. The primary outcome was the postoperative time when the criteria for extubation were met. Three groups were identified: group 0-(extubated in the operating room), group < 6 (extubated in less than 6 h), and group > 6 (extubated in >6 h). The secondary outcomes were adverse events, length of stay in ICU and in hospital, and total hospitalization costs. Results: Dexmedetomidine was well-tolerated, with no significant adverse events reported. Early extubation was performed in 187 patients (57%). Group 3 had a significantly longer length of stay in the ICU (median: 70 h vs. 25 h) and in hospital (17 vs. 12 days), and consequently higher total hospitalization costs (CHF 62,551 vs. 38,433) compared to the net data from the other two groups (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that dexmedetomidine can be safely used as part of the opioid-sparing anesthesia protocol in patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass with the potential to facilitate early extubation, shorter ICU and hospital stays, and reduced hospitalization costs.

Comparison of the 2015 and 2023 European Society of Cardiology versions of the Duke criteria among patients with suspected infective endocarditis.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosing infective endocarditis (IE) poses a significant challenge. This study aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of the 2015 and 2023 Duke clinical criteria introduced by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) in a cohort of patients suspected of having IE. METHODS: Conducted retrospectively at two Swiss University Hospitals between 2014-2023, the study involved patients with suspected IE. Each hospitals' Endocarditis Team categorized case as either IE or not IE. The performance of each iteration of the Duke-ESC clinical criteria was assessed based on the agreement between definite IE and the diagnoses made by the Endocarditis Team. RESULTS: Among the 3127 episodes with suspected IE, 1177 (38%) were confirmed to have IE. Using the 2015 Duke-ESC clinical criteria, 707 (23%) episodes were deemed definite IE, with 696 (98%) receiving a final IE diagnosis. With the 2023 Duke-ESC clinical criteria, 855 (27%) episodes were classified as definite IE, of which 813 (95%) were confirmed as IE. The 2015 and 2023 Duke-ESC clinical criteria categorized 1039 (33%) and 1034 (33%) episodes, respectively, as possible IE. Sensitivity for the 2015 Duke-ESC and the 2023 Duke-ESC clinical criteria was calculated at 59% (95% CI: 56-62%), and 69% (66-72%), respectively, with specificity at 99% (99-100%), and 98% (97-98%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The 2023 ESC criteria demonstrated significant improvements in sensitivity compared to the 2015 version, although one-third of episodes were classified as possible IE by both versions.

Beyond the Timeline: One-year Mortality Trends in Early vs. Late Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis.

Among 302 episodes with prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE), one-year mortality was 31%. There was no evidence indicating that early-onset PVE within 6 months from valve surgery led to a worse outcome compared to late-onset PVE (21% versus 32%; p=0.126), despite similar redo valve surgeries across both categories.

Evaluation of the HANDOC Score and the 2023 International Society of Cardiovascular Infectious Diseases and European Society of Cardiology Duke Clinical Criteria for the Diagnosis of Infective Endocarditis Among Patients With Streptococcal Bacteremia.

BACKGROUND: Streptococci are a common cause of infective endocarditis (IE). We aimed to evaluate the performance of the HANDOC score to identify patients at high risk for IE and the Duke clinical criteria of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC; 2015 and 2023 versions) and the 2023 version from the International Society of Cardiovascular Infectious Diseases (ISCVID) in diagnosing IE among patients with streptococcal bacteremia. METHODS: This retrospective study included adult patients with streptococcal bacteremia hospitalized at Lausanne University Hospital. Episodes were classified as IE by the Endocarditis Team. A HANDOC score >2 classified patients as high risk for IE. RESULTS: Among 851 episodes with streptococcal bacteremia, IE was diagnosed in 171 episodes (20%). Among 607 episodes with non-ß-hemolytic streptococci, 213 (35%) had HANDOC scores >2 points; 132 (22%) had IE. The sensitivity of the HANDOC score to identify episodes at high risk for IE was 95% (95% confidence interval [CI], 90%-98%), the specificity 82% (95% CI, 78%-85%), and the negative predictive value (NPV) 98% (95% CI, 96%-99%). 2015 Duke-ESC, 2023 Duke-ISCVID, and 2023 Duke-ESC clinical criteria classified 114 (13%), 145 (17%), and 126 (15%) episodes as definite IE, respectively. Sensitivity (95% CI) for the 2015 Duke-ESC, 2023 Duke-ISCVID, and 2023 Duke-ESC clinical criteria was calculated at 65% (57%-72%), 81% (74%-86%), and 73% (65%-79%), respectively, with specificity (95% CI) at 100% (98%-100%), 99% (98%-100%), and 99% (98%-100%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The HANDOC score showed an excellent NPV to identify episodes at high risk for IE. Among the different versions of the Duke criteria, the 2023 Duke-ISCVID version fared better for the diagnosis of IE among streptococcal bacteremia.

First-in-Man Study of a Novel, Balloon-Adjustable Mitral Annuloplasty Ring.

Objectives: Mitral valve repair is the current standard approach for mitral valve regurgitation. However, patients suffering from functional mitral regurgitation have a significant risk of recurrent regurgitation. Adjustable mitral rings may provide a solution for this adverse event. Methods: A single-center, first-in-man clinical study was performed on patients suffering from mitral valve regurgitation. Patients were implanted with the study ring and followed for six months. A balloon catheter can be inserted into the study ring frame at any time after implantation and inflated independently in the areas P1, P2, or P3, which reduces the anterior-posterior diameter. Results: Five patients (75.4 ± 6.1 years; EuroSCORE II 2.1 ± 0.9%; three female) were successfully implanted. Mechanisms of mitral regurgitation were prolapse of the P2-segment in three patients and annular dilation in two patients. Surgical implantation according to the protocol was feasible and is described herein. Median cardiopulmonary bypass time and cross clamp time were 105 (118; 195) and 94 (90; 151) min, respectively. The median intensive care unit stay was 2 (2; 3) days. No perioperative, 30-day, or 6-month mortality was observed, and the repair was stable without residual or recurrent regurgitation ≥ grade 2. All patients reached the primary endpoint without device-related morbidity. Conclusions: Successful implantation was completed in five patients without device-related adverse events. Ring implantation was safe and feasible for all patients. The opportunity of post-implant adjustment to improve leaflet coaptation is a promising new therapeutic strategy that is assessed in a phase II study.

Comparison of HTK-Custodiol and St-Thomas solution as cardiac preservation solutions on early and midterm outcomes following heart transplantation.

OBJECTIVES: The choice of the cardiac preservation solution for myocardial protection at time of heart procurement remains controversial and uncertainties persist regarding its effect on the early and midterm heart transplantation (HTx) outcomes. We retrospectively compared our adult HTx performed with 2 different solutions, in terms of hospital mortality, mid-term survival, inotropic score, primary graft dysfunction and rejection score. METHODS: From January 2009 to December 2020, 154 consecutive HTx of adult patients, followed up in pre- and post-transplantation by 2 different tertiary centres, were performed at the University Hospital of Lausanne, Switzerland. From 2009 to 2015, the cardiac preservation solution used was exclusively St-Thomas, whereafter an institutional decision was made to use HTK-Custodiol only. Patients were classified in 2 groups accordingly. RESULTS: There were 75 patients in the St-Thomas group and 79 patients in the HTK-Custodiol group. The 2 groups were comparable in terms of preoperative and intraoperative characteristics. Postoperatively, compared to the St-Thomas group, the Custodiol group patients showed significantly lower inotropic scores [median (interquartile range): 35.7 (17.5-60.2) vs 71.8 (31.8-127), P < 0.001], rejection scores [0.08 (0.0-0.25) vs 0.14 (0.05-0.5), P = 0.036] and 30-day mortality rate (2.5% vs 14.7%, P = 0.007) even after adjusting for potential confounders. Microscopic analysis of the endomyocardial biopsies also showed less specific histological features of subendothelial ischaemia (3.8% vs 17.3%, P = 0.006). There was no difference in primary graft dysfunction requiring postoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The use of HTK-Custodiol solution significantly improved midterm survival (Custodiol versus St-Thomas: hazard ratio = 0.20, 95% confidence interval: 0.069-0.60, P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study comparing St-Thomas solution and HTK-Custodiol as myocardial protection during heart procurement showed that Custodiol improves outcomes after HTx, including postoperative inotropic score, rejection score, 30-day mortality and midterm survival.

Association of persistent positive blood cultures and infective endocarditis: A cohort study among patients with suspected infective endocarditis.

OBJECTIVES: To ascertain whether infective endocarditis (IE) was associated with persistent bacteraemia/candidaemia among patients with suspected IE. METHODS: This study included bacteraemic/candidaemic adult patients with echocardiography and follow-up blood cultures. Persistent bacteraemia/candidaemia was defined as continued positive blood cultures with the same microorganism for 48 h or more after antibiotic treatment initiation. Each case was classified for IE by the Endocarditis Team. RESULTS: Among 1962 episodes of suspected IE, IE (605; 31%) was the most prevalent infection type. Persistent bacteraemia/candidaemia was observed in 426 (22%) episodes. Persistent bacteraemia was more common among episodes with Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia compared to episodes with positive blood cultures for other pathogens (32%, 298/933 vs 12%, 128/1029; P < 0.001). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that cardiac predisposing factors (aOR 1.84, 95% CI 1.31-2.60), community or non-nosocomial healthcare-associated (2.85, 2.10-3.88), bacteraemia by high-risk bacteria, such as S. aureus, streptococci, enterococci or HACEK (1.84, 1.31-2.60), two or more positive sets of index blood cultures (6.99, 4.60-10.63), persistent bacteraemia/candidaemia for 48 h from antimicrobial treatment initiation (1.43, 1.05-1.93), embolic events within 48h from antimicrobial treatment initiation (12.81, 9.43-17.41), and immunological phenomena (3.87, 1.09-1.78) were associated with infective endocarditis. CONCLUSIONS: IE was associated with persistent bacteraemia/candidaemia, along with other commonly associated factors.

Evaluation of the 2023 Duke-International Society of Cardiovascular Infectious Diseases Criteria in a Multicenter Cohort of Patients With Suspected Infective Endocarditis.

BACKGROUND: Since publication of Duke criteria for infective endocarditis (IE) diagnosis, several modifications have been proposed. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of the Duke-ISCVID (International Society of Cardiovascular Infectious Diseases) 2023 criteria compared to prior versions from 2000 (Duke-Li 2000) and 2015 (Duke-ESC [European Society for Cardiology] 2015). METHODS: This study was conducted at 2 university hospitals between 2014 and 2022 among patients with suspected IE. A case was classified as IE (final IE diagnosis) by the Endocarditis Team. Sensitivity for each version of the Duke criteria was calculated among patients with confirmed IE based on pathological, surgical, and microbiological data. Specificity for each version of the Duke criteria was calculated among patients with suspected IE for whom IE diagnosis was ruled out. RESULTS: In total, 2132 episodes with suspected IE were included, of which 1101 (52%) had final IE diagnosis. Definite IE by pathologic criteria was found in 285 (13%), 285 (13%), and 345 (16%) patients using the Duke-Li 2000, Duke-ESC 2015, or the Duke-ISCVID 2023 criteria, respectively. IE was excluded by histopathology in 25 (1%) patients. The Duke-ISCVID 2023 clinical criteria showed a higher sensitivity (84%) compared to previous versions (70%). However, specificity of the new clinical criteria was lower (60%) compared to previous versions (74%). CONCLUSIONS: The Duke-ISCVID 2023 criteria led to an increase in sensitivity compared to previous versions. Further studies are needed to evaluate items that could increase sensitivity by reducing the number of IE patients misclassified as possible, but without having detrimental effect on specificity of Duke criteria.

Eyes Wide Shut: A Cohort Study Questioning the Role of Fundoscopy in Infective Endocarditis Diagnosis.

In this retrospective/prospective study, we assessed the role of fundoscopy in 711 episodes with suspected infective endocarditis (IE); 238 (33%) had IE. Ocular embolic events (retinal emboli or chorioretinitis/endophthalmitis) and Roth spots were found in 37 (5%) and 34 (5%) episodes, respectively, but had no impact on IE diagnosis.

Evaluation of the 2023 Duke-ISCVID and 2023 Duke-ESC Clinical Criteria for the Diagnosis of Infective Endocarditis in a Multicenter Cohort of Patients With Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia.

BACKGROUND: The Duke criteria for infective endocarditis (IE) diagnosis underwent revisions in 2023 by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the International Society for Cardiovascular Infectious Diseases (ISCVID). This study aims to assess the diagnostic accuracy of these criteria, focusing on patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB). METHODS: This Swiss multicenter study conducted between 2014 and 2023 pooled data from three cohorts. It evaluated the performance of each iteration of the Duke criteria by assessing the degree of concordance between definite S. aureus IE (SAIE) and the diagnoses made by the Endocarditis Team (2018-23) or IE expert clinicians (2014-17). RESULTS: Among 1344 SAB episodes analyzed, 486 (36%) were identified as cases of SAIE. The 2023 Duke-ISCVID and 2023 Duke-ESC criteria demonstrated improved sensitivity for SAIE diagnosis (81% and 82%, respectively) compared to the 2015 Duke-ESC criteria (75%). However, the new criteria exhibited reduced specificity for SAIE (96% for both) compared to the 2015 criteria (99%). Spondylodiscitis was more prevalent among patients with SAIE compared to those with SAB alone (10% vs 7%, P = .026). However, when patients meeting the minor 2015 Duke-ESC vascular criterion were excluded, the incidence of spondylodiscitis was similar between SAIE and SAB patients (6% vs 5%, P = .461). CONCLUSIONS: The 2023 Duke-ISCVID and 2023 Duke-ESC clinical criteria show improved sensitivity for SAIE diagnosis compared to 2015 Duke-ESC criteria. However, this increase in sensitivity comes at the expense of reduced specificity. Future research should aim at evaluating the impact of each component introduced within these criteria.

Risk of embolic events before and after antibiotic treatment initiation among patients with left-side infective endocarditis.

PURPOSE: Embolic events (EEs) are a common complication of left-side infective endocarditis (IE). The aim of the present study was to identify risk factors for the occurrence of EEs before or after antibiotic treatment instauration among patients with definite or possible IE. METHODS: This retro-prospective study was conducted at the Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland, from January 2014 to June 2022. EEs and IE were defined according to modified Duke criteria. RESULTS: A total of 441 left-side IE episodes were included (334: 76% were definite and 107; 24% possible IE). EE were diagnosed in 260 (59%) episodes; in 190 (43%) before antibiotic treatment initiation and 148 (34%) after. Central nervous system (184; 42%) was the most common site of EE. Multivariable analysis identified S. aureus (P 0.022), immunological phenomena (P < 0.001), sepsis (P 0.027), vegetation size ≥ 10 mm (P 0.003) and intracardiac abscess (P 0.022) as predictors of EEs before antibiotic treatment initiation. For EEs after antibiotic treatment initiation, multivariable analysis revealed vegetation size ≥ 10 mm (P < 0.001), intracardiac abscess (P 0.035) and prior EE (P 0.042), as independent predictors of EEs, while valve surgery (P < 0.001) was associated with lower risk for EEs. CONCLUSIONS: We reported a high percentage of EEs among patients with left-side IE; vegetation size, intracardiac abscess, S. aureus and sepsis were independently associated with the occurrence of EEs. In addition to antibiotic treatment, early surgery led to further decrease in EEs incidence.

Is the Mid-Term Patency Rate of Small-Diameter Viabahn Stent-Grafts in Peripheral Artery Disease Related to Their Length? A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: Small-diameter endografts can be used for the treatment of the peripheral vascular disease, but the patency rate during the follow-up is still under debate. With this review, we aimed at analyzing the mid-term patency of small-diameter Viabahn stent-grafts and investigating the relationship between patency and the length of the graft. METHODS: We performed a review of articles published until September 2020 and reporting use of ≤7-mm-diameter Viabahn stent-grafts in diseased peripheral arteries. Data on study type, demographic, lesion length, stent-graft diameter, length, and patency (1-year, 3-year, 5-year primary patency, primary-assisted patency, and secondary patency), follow-up, endoleak, and re-intervention rates were extracted and analyzed. A statistical test was applied to identify a correlation between stent-graft length and patency. RESULTS: 16 retrospective and 7 prospective studies reported the outcome of 1613 patients (mean age: 69.6±33.7 years). There was considerable heterogeneity in reporting standards among studies. The diameter of Viabahn stent-grafts ranged 5 to 7mm and the average length was 23.6±12.4cm. Heparin-bonded grafts were used in 46.4% of cases. Mean follow-up time was 26.4±17.6 months. The 1- and 5-year primary patency rate was 75.7% (95% CI, 73.6%-77.8%) and 46.8% (95% CI, 41.0%-52.6%), respectively. The 1- and 5-year primary-assisted patency rate was 80.9% (95% CI, 73.9%-87.8%) and 60.9% (95% CI, 46.4-75.5%), respectively. The 1- and 5-year second-assisted patency was 90.4% (95% CI, 87.4%-93.3%) and 73.7% (95% CI, 64.7%-82.8%), respectively. No correlation between the stent-graft length and patency was found. CONCLUSIONS: Small-diameter Viabahn stent-graft implantation represents a safe treatment for patients with peripheral artery disease, and the mid-term patency rate seems not be affected by the length of the graft. CLINICAL IMPACT: The use of small diameter stent-grafts for peripheral vascular disease is an established technique but the patency rate is still under debate. With this review we have investigated the relationship between the mid-term patency and the diameter of the stent-grafts. Afterv having analysed data from 23 published studies including 1613 patients we can conclude that the treatment of the peripheral artery disease with small diameter stent-grafts is safe and the mid-term patency rate seems not be affected by the lenght of the grafts.

Impact of thoracoabdominal imaging on diagnosis and management in patients with suspected infective endocarditis.

BACKGROUND: Embolic events (EEs) are a common complication of infective endocarditis (IE) and their presence can impact diagnosis and modify the therapeutic plan. The present study aimed to describe the role of thoracoabdominal imaging, either thoracoabdominal-pelvic Computed Tomography or 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography, on diagnosis and management of patients with suspected IE. METHODS: This study was conducted at a university hospital, from January 2014 to June 2022. EEs and IE were defined according to modified Duke criteria. RESULTS: Among 966 episodes with suspected IE and thoracoabdominal imaging, 528 (55%) patients were asymptomatic. At least one EE was found in 205 (21%) episodes. Based on thoracoabdominal imaging findings, the diagnosis was reclassified from rejected to possible or from possible to definite IE in 6 (1%) and 10 (1%) episodes, respectively. Among the 413 patients with IE, at least one EE was found on thoracoabdominal imaging in 143 (35%) episodes. Together with the presence of left-side valvular vegetation >10 mm, the results of thoracoabdominal imaging established a surgical indication (prevention of embolism) in 15 (4%) episodes, 7 of which were asymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracoabdominal imaging performed in asymptomatic patients with suspected IE improved the diagnosis in only a small proportion of patients. Thoracoabdominal imaging led to a new surgical indication (in association with left-side valvular vegetation >10 mm) in only a small percentage of patients.

The role of early defervescence in ruling out infective endocarditis: a cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the role of defervescence within 4 days from antibiotic treatment initiation in ruling out infective endocarditis (IE) among patients suspected of such diagnosis. METHODS: This study was conducted at the Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland (January 2014 to May 2022). All patients with suspected IE being febrile upon presentation were included. IE was classified according to the modified Duke criteria proposed by the 2015 European Society of Cardiology guidelines, before or after applying the criterion 'resolution of symptoms suggesting IE within 4 days of the introduction of antibiotic therapy' based solely on early defervescence. RESULTS: Among 1022 episodes with suspected IE, 332 (37%) had IE according to Endocarditis-Team evaluation; 248 were classified by clinical Duke criteria as definite and 84 as possible IE. The rate of defervescence within 4 days from antibiotic treatment initiation was similar (p 0.547) among episodes without (606/690; 88%) and those with IE (287/332; 86%); among episodes classified as definite and possible IE by clinical Duke criteria, 211 of 248 (85%) and 76 of 84 (90%), respectively, defervesced within 4 days from antibiotic treatment initiation. By using early defervescence as a rejection criterion, the 76 episodes with final IE diagnosis classified as possible by clinical criteria could be reclassified as rejected. DISCUSSION: The majority of IE episodes defervesced within 4 days from antibiotic treatment initiation; thus, early defervescence should not be used to rule out the diagnosis of IE.

Role of Cerebral Imaging on Diagnosis and Management in Patients With Suspected Infective Endocarditis.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral embolic events (CEEs) are common complications of infective endocarditis (IE), and their presence can modify diagnosis and therapeutic plans. The aim of the present study was to assess the role of cerebral imaging (Cer-Im) on diagnosis and management of patients with suspected IE. METHODS: This study was conducted at the Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland, from January 2014 to June 2022. CEEs and IE were defined according to modified Duke criteria of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines. RESULTS: Among 573 patients with IE suspicion and Cer-Im, 239 (42%) patients had neurological symptoms. At least 1 CEE was found in 254 (44%) episodes. Based on Cer-Im findings, episodes were reclassified from rejected to possible or from possible to definite IE in 3 (1%) and 25 (4%) patients, respectively (0% and 2% in asymptomatic patients, respectively). Among the 330 patients with possible or definite IE, at least 1 CEE was found in 187 (57%) episodes. A new surgical indication (in association with left-side vegetation >10 mm) was established in 74/330 (22%) IE patients and 30/155 (19%) asymptomatic IE patients, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Cer-Im in asymptomatic patients with IE suspicion showed limited potential for improving the diagnosis of IE. In contrast, performing Cer-Im in asymptomatic patients with IE may be useful for decision making, because Cer-Im findings led to the establishment of new operative indication for valvular surgery in one fifth of patients according to ESC guidelines.

Percutaneous reduction of septal-to-lateral mitral annular distance to increase mitral leaflet coaptation length: Preclinical study results.

Objectives: Percutaneous indirect annuloplasty has emerged as a treatment strategy for functional/ischemic mitral regurgitation. This study sought to evaluate the feasibility of percutaneous indirect annuloplasty technique using a new device. Methods: The device has 3 components: the "saddle" inserted into the great cardiac vein, the "plug" positioned in the left ventricular outflow tract, and the "bridge," a transatrial suture connecting the 2 holding elements. The aim was to shorten the septal-to-lateral distance of the mitral annulus by pulling on the saddle element. The procedure was performed through venous access in healthy adult sheep. A dedicated catheter holding a needle was used to deploy the saddle into the great cardiac vein and pierce its wall toward the left atrium to deploy the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene suture that is part of the bridge. A catheter for transseptal puncture was inserted for crossing the interatrial septum and piercing the aortic-mitral curtain, thereby allowing the plug to be deployed. The plug was held in place by the second part of the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene bridge. The 2 parts of the bridge were then joined to reduce the septal-to-lateral mitral annular distance. The septal-to-lateral distance and the coaptation length at P2 level were measured before and after the procedure using echocardiography. Results: Overall, 10 animals were treated, 7 successfully. The mean procedure duration was 110 ± 81 minutes. Septal-to-lateral distance decreased from 3.8 mm to 2.6 mm (30%), and maximum increase of mitral leaflet coaptation was 4 mm. Conclusions: This new approach seems promising for percutaneous treatment of functional mitral regurgitation.

Hemodynamic oxygenator exchange-related effects during veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for the treatment of acute SARS-CoV-2 respiratory distress syndrome.

Few patients with coronavirus disease 2019-associated severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) require veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO). Prolonged VV-ECMO support necessitates repeated oxygenator replacement, increasing the risk for complications. Transient hypoxemia, induced by VV-ECMO stop needed for this procedure, may induce transient myocardial ischemia and acutely declining cardiac output in critically ill patients without residual pulmonary function. This is amplified by additional activation of the sympathetic nervous system (tachycardia, pulmonary vasoconstriction, and increased systemic vascular resistance). Immediate reinjection of the priming solution of the new circuit and induced acute iatrogenic anemia are other potentially reinforcing factors. The case of a critically ill patient presented here provides an instructive illustration of the hemodynamic relationships occurring during VV-ECMO support membrane oxygenator exchange.