Streptococcus gallolyticus infective endocarditis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus: a three-dimensional echocardiography evaluation.

A 42 year-old woman was referred to our hospital with a history of fever and poor general status for the last 30 days. She presented tachycardia and a systolic apical murmur. Laboratory tests revealed leukocytosis of 13,100/mL, hemoglobin of 8.4g/dL and positive systemic lupus erythematosus antibodies (anti-Ro/SSA, anti-La/SSB, anticardiolipin, and antinuclear antibodies); blood culture was positive for Streptococcus gallolyticus. Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography was performed and revealed multiple mitral valve vegetations, with leaflet perforation and important mitral regurgitation, as well as large aortic vegetation, with cusp perforation and severe regurgitation. Additionally, a small vegetation was observed on the tricuspid valve, which presented moderate regurgitation. Threedimensional transesophageal echocardiography provides appropriate visualization of complications resulting from infectious endocarditis.

Contrast echocardiography in myocardial infarction.

The contrast agents used in ultrasound are approved for several clinical situations. New echocardiographic techniques, such as harmonic imaging and power pulse inversion imaging, can improve the visualization of microbubbles. In this article we discuss the early development of contrast echocardiography, new technologies that help improve image acquisition and its practical role in the assessment of myocardial infarction.

Endocardite por Streptococcus gallolyticus em portadora de lúpus eritematoso sistêmico: avaliação pelo ecocardiograma tridimensional / Streptococcus gallolyticus infective endocarditis in a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus: a three-dimensional echocardiography evaluation

Mulher de 42 anos foi encaminhada ao hospital com história de febre e queda do estado geral há 30 dias. À admissão, apresentava taquicardia e sopro sistólico na região apical. Os exames de laboratório mostraram leucocitose com 13.100/mL, hemoglobina 8,4g/dL e anticorpos positivos para lúpus eritematoso sistêmico (anti-Ro/SSA, anti-La/SSB, anticardiolipina e anticorpo antinuclear); hemocultura foi positiva para Streptococcus gallolyticus. Foi realizado um ecocardiograma transesofágico tridimensional, que mostrou múltiplas vegetações na valva mitral, com perfuração do folheto e refluxo importante, além de grande vegetação aórtica com perfuração valvar e refluxo importante adicionalmente. Pequena vegetação foi identificada na valva tricúspide, com um refluxo significativo. O emprego da ecocardiografia transesofágica tridimensional proporcionou o diagnóstico de complicações decorrentes de endocardite infecciosa.

A 42 year-old woman was referred to our hospital with a history of fever and poor general status for the last 30 days. She presented tachycardia and a systolic apical murmur. Laboratory tests revealed leukocytosis of 13,100/mL, hemoglobin of 8.4g/dL and positive systemic lupus erythematosus antibodies (anti-Ro/SSA, anti-La/SSB, anticardiolipin, and antinuclear antibodies); blood culture was positive for Streptococcus gallolyticus. Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography was performed and revealed multiple mitral valve vegetations, with leaflet perforation and important mitral regurgitation, as well as large aortic vegetation, with cusp perforation and severe regurgitation. Additionally, a small vegetation was observed on the tricuspid valve, which presented moderate regurgitation. Threedimensional transesophageal echocardiography provides appropriate visualization of complications resulting from infectious endocarditis.

Ecocardiografia com contraste no infarto do miocárdio / Contrast echocardiography in myocardial infarction

Os contrastes ecocardiográficos à base de microbolhas estão aprovados para várias situações da prática clínica. Novos softwares, como a imagem em segunda harmônica e o power pulse inversion, podem melhorar a visualização do contraste no exame ecocardiográfico. Neste artigo, discutem-se o início da prática da ecocardiografia com contraste, as novas tecnologias que ajudam na aquisição e melhora da imagem, e seu uso no infarto do miocárdio.

The contrast agents used in ultrasound are approved for several clinical situations. New echocardiographic techniques, such as harmonic imaging and power pulse inversion imaging, can improve the visualization of microbubbles. In this article we discuss the early development of contrast echocardiography, new technologies that help improve image acquisition and its practical role in the assessment of myocardial infarction.

Left ventricular free wall impeding rupture in post-myocardial infarction period diagnosed by myocardial contrast echocardiography: case report.

BACKGROUND: Left ventricular free wall rupture occurs in up to 10% of the in-hospital deaths following myocardial infarction. It is mainly associated with posterolateral myocardial infarction and its antemortem diagnosis is rarely made. Contrast echocardiography has been increasingly used for the evaluation of myocardial perfusion in patients with acute myocardial infarction, with important prognostic implications. In this case, we reported its use for the detection of a mechanical complication following myocardial infarction. CASE PRESENTATION: A 50-year-old man with acute myocardial infarction in the lateral wall underwent myocardial contrast echocardiography for the evaluation of myocardial perfusion in the third day post-infarction. A perfusion defect was detected in lateral and inferior walls as well as the presence of contrast extrusion from the left ventricular cavity into the myocardium, forming a serpiginous duct extending from the endocardium to the epicardial region of the lateral wall, without communication with the pericardial space. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the diagnosis of impending rupture of the left ventricular free wall. While waiting for cardiac surgery, patient presented with cardiogenic shock and died. Anatomopathological findings were consistent with acute myocardial infarction in the lateral wall and a left ventricular free wall rupture at the infarct site. CONCLUSION: This case illustrates the early diagnosis of left ventricular free wall rupture by contrast echocardiography. Due to its ability to be performed at bedside this modality of imaging has the potential to identify this catastrophic condition in patients with acute myocardial infarction and help to treat these patients with emergent surgery.