In Vitro Activity of Ampicillin Plus Ceftriaxone Against Non- and Non- Enterococcal Isolates With/Without VanC Phenotype: Clinical Implications for Infective Endocarditis.

(1) Background: Alternative antibiotics are needed to treat infective endocarditis (IE) caused by non-/non- enterococci; we aimed to assess the in vitro activity of ampicillin plus ceftriaxone (AMP + CTR) against these enterococci and to describe its clinical efficacy in IE cases. (2) Methods: Time-kill curves with standard (ISI) and high (IHI) inocula were performed to test isolates [3 (ECAS) and 1 (EGALL)] and non- isolates [1 (EDUR), 1 (EHIR) and 1 (ERAF)]. The narrative literature review of IE cases treated with AMP + CTR was analyzed alongside three study cases.

Cardio4Health Study, a Cardiac Telerehabilitation Pilot Program Aimed at Patients After an Ischemic Event: Cross-sectional Study.

Background: Center-based cardiac rehabilitation programs (CRPs) reduce morbidity and mortality after an ischemic cardiac event; however, they are widely underused. Home-based CRP has emerged as an alternative to improve patient adherence; however, its safety and efficacy remain unclear, especially for older patients and female patients.

Objective: This study aimed to develop a holistic home-based CRP for patients with ischemic heart disease and evaluate its safety and impact on functional capacity, adherence to a healthy lifestyle, and quality of life.

Optimal Timing for Cardiac Surgery in Infective Endocarditis with Neurological Complications: A Narrative Review.

In patients with infective endocarditis and neurological complications, the optimal timing for cardiac surgery is unclear due to the varied risk of clinical deterioration when early surgery is performed. The aim of this review is to summarize the best evidence on the optimal timing for cardiac surgery in the presence of each type of neurological complication. An English literature search was carried out from June 2018 through July 2022.

A motivational interview program for cardiac rehabilitation after acute myocardial infarction: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial in primary healthcare.

Background: Cardiac rehabilitation after acute myocardial infarction permits recovery of the heart function and enables secondary prevention programs in which changes in lifestyle habits are crucial. Cardiac rehabilitation often takes place in hospitals without coordination with primary healthcare and is not focused on individual patient preferences and goals, which is the core of the motivational interview. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a cardiac rehabilitation program with a motivational interview in patients discharged from hospital after acute myocardial infarction.

Relationship among Subsp. , and Colorectal Neoplasms in Recurrent Endocarditis: A Historical Case Series.

Objectives: The role of colorectal neoplasms (CRN) as a common potential source of recurrent subsp. (SGG) and (EF) endocarditis remains unstudied. We aimed to investigate what proportion of episodes of recurrent endocarditis are caused by a succession of SGG and EF, or vice versa, and to assess the role of a colonic source in such recurrent episodes.

Mycobacterium Wolinskyi: A New Non-Tuberculous Mycobacterium Associated with Cardiovascular Infections?

Mycobacterium wolinskyi is a rapid-growth non-tuberculous mycobacterium. Twenty-one cases of M. wolinskyi infection have been described so far, more than half as cardiovascular or postoperative cardiothoracic infections.

Endocarditis Caused by Highly Penicillin-Resistant Viridans Group Streptococci: Still Room for Vancomycin-Based Regimens.

Optimal treatment options remain unknown for infective endocarditis (IE) caused by penicillin-resistant (PEN-R) viridans group streptococcal (VGS) strains. The aims of this study were to report two cases of highly PEN-R VGS IE, perform a literature review, and evaluate various antibiotic combinations and The following combinations were tested by time-kill studies and in the rabbit experimental endocarditis (EE) model: PEN-gentamicin, ceftriaxone-gentamicin, vancomycin-gentamicin, daptomycin-gentamicin, and daptomycin-ampicillin. Case 1 was caused by (PEN MIC, 4 μg/ml) and was treated with vancomycin plus cardiac surgery.

HACEK infective endocarditis: Epidemiology, clinical features, and outcome: A case-control study.

Objectives: The study aimed to describe the epidemiological, microbiological, and clinical features of a population sample of 17 patients with HACEK infective endocarditis (HACEK-IE) and to compare them with matched control patients with IE caused by viridans group streptococci (VGS-IE).

Methods: Cases of definite (n=14, 82.2%) and possible (n=3, 17.

Infective Endocarditis in Patients With Bicuspid Aortic Valve or Mitral Valve Prolapse.

Background: There is little information concerning infective endocarditis (IE) in patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) or mitral valve prolapse (MVP). Currently, IE antibiotic prophylaxis (IEAP) is not recommended for these conditions.

Objectives: This study sought to describe the clinical and microbiological features of IE in patients with BAV and MVP and compare them with those of IE patients with and without IEAP indication, to determine the potential benefit of IEAP in these conditions.

Correction: Outcome of Enterococcus faecalis infective endocarditis according to the length of antibiotic therapy: Preliminary data from a cohort of 78 patients.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Outcome of Enterococcus faecalis infective endocarditis according to the length of antibiotic therapy: Preliminary data from a cohort of 78 patients.

Background: International guidelines recommend 4 weeks of treatment with ampicillin plus gentamicin (A+G) for uncomplicated native valve Enterococcus faecalis infective endocarditis (EFIE) and 6 weeks in the remaining cases. Ampicillin plus ceftriaxone (A+C) is always recommended for at least 6w, with no available studies assessing its suitability for 4w. We aimed to investigate differences in the outcome of EFIE according to the duration (4 versus 6 weeks) of antibiotic treatment (A+G or A+C).

Epidemiology, Clinical Features, and Outcome of Infective Endocarditis due to Abiotrophia Species and Granulicatella Species: Report of 76 Cases, 2000-2015.

Background: Infective endocarditis (IE) caused by Abiotrophia (ABI) and Granulicatella (GRA) species is poorly studied. This work aims to describe and compare the main features of ABI and GRA IE.

Methods: We performed a retrospective study of 12 IE institutional cases of GRA or ABI and of 64 cases published in the literature (overall, 38 ABI and 38 GRA IE cases).

Nordic walking for cardiovascular prevention in patients with ischaemic heart disease or metabolic syndrome.

Background And Objective: The incidence of atherosclerotic diseases has increased in Europe due in part to the population's sedentary lifestyle. Physical activity is useful for cardiovascular prevention. Nordic walking (NW) mobilizes a great number of muscular groups and is very popular in northern Europe.

Emerging risk factors and the dose-response relationship between physical activity and lone atrial fibrillation: a prospective case-control study.

Aims: The role of high-intensity exercise and other emerging risk factors in lone atrial fibrillation (Ln-AF) epidemiology is still under debate. The aim of this study was to analyse the contribution of each of the emerging risk factors and the impact of physical activity dose in patients with Ln-AF.

Methods And Results: Patients with Ln-AF and age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included in a 2:1 prospective case-control study.

Prognosis of new-onset heart failure outpatients and collagen biomarkers.

Background: Prognosis of heart failure patients has been defined in hospital-based or retrospective studies. This study aimed to characterize prognosis of outpatients with new-onset preserved or reduced ejection fraction heart failure; to explore the role of collagen turnover biomarkers (MMP2, MMP9, TIMP1) in predicting prognosis; and to analyse their relationship with echocardiographic parameters and final diagnosis.

Methods: This is an observational, prospective, longitudinal study.

Interatrial Dyssynchrony May Contribute to Heart Failure Symptoms in Patients with Preserved Ejection Fraction.

Purpose: Heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) is the most prevalent type of HF in nonhospitalized patients, but its pathophysiology remains poorly understood. The aim of our study was to assess the existence of interatrial dyssynchrony (IAD), a potentially treatable condition, in the development of HF symptoms.

Methods: Consecutive patients with new onset of shortening of breath, referred for suspected HF, were screened.

Left atrial dysfunction relates to symptom onset in patients with heart failure and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction.

Aims: Pathophysiology of heart failure (HF) with preserved ejection fraction (HFPEF) remains unclear. Left atrial (LA) function has been related to HF symptoms. Our purpose is to analyse LA function in outpatients with new onset symptoms of HF.

Randomized clinical trial of the effectiveness of a home-based intervention in patients with heart failure: the IC-DOM study.

Introduction And Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine whether a home-based intervention can reduce mortality and hospital readmissions and improve quality of life in patients with heart failure.

Methods: A randomized clinical trial was carried out between January 2004 and October 2006. In total, 283 patients admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of heart failure were randomly allocated to a home-based intervention (intervention group) or usual care (control group).

A single factor underlies the metabolic syndrome: a confirmatory factor analysis.

Objective: Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to test the hypothesis that the components of the metabolic syndrome are manifestations of a single common factor.

Research Design And Methods: Three different datasets were used to test and validate the model. The Spanish and Mauritian studies included 207 men and 203 women and 1,411 men and 1,650 women, respectively.

The association between leptin and left ventricular hypertrophy: a population-based cross-sectional study.

Background And Objectives: Plasma leptin levels have been shown to be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Leptin has been shown to have sympathetic and vascular effects, and may increase cardiovascular risk through increased blood pressure, left ventricular hypertrophy, or atherosclerotic mechanisms. This study examines whether leptin levels, independent of body mass and insulin resistance, are a risk factor for hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy.