A Rare Case of Streptococcus pasteurianus Endocarditis Signaling Colon Cancer.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a life-threatening condition often associated with various complications. A unique subset of IE cases involves the group, which has a well-documented but sometimes poorly understood association with colonic neoplasms. Specifically, colon cancer has a well-established association with IE caused by subspecies (spp.

WEST NILE VIRUS INFECTION WITH NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS: A CASE REPORT AND A BRIEF REVIEW OF THE SITUATION IN BULGARIA.

A case of a 66-year-old man with West Nile neuroinvassive disease manifested with fever, weakness, fatigue, consciousness disorders and underlying diabetes mellitus type 2 and cardiovascular diseases is presented. Laboratory data showed elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and fibrinogen. Serological tests revealed West Nile virus specific antibodies of class IgM and IgG in serum.

The relationship between mitral annular systolic velocity and ejection fraction in patients with preserved global systolic function of the left ventricle.

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between the ejection fraction (EF) and the mitral annular systolic velocity (Sm) in patients with preserved left ventricular systolic function (EF>55%). The study task was to evaluate whether the assessment of Sm(avg) can be used as an alternative to the Simpson's method in assessment of the EF. The expected benefit was that Sm could be used to predict EF, when EF is difficult to assess due to poor image quality (IQ).

Mitral annular systolic velocity as a marker of preclinical systolic dysfunction among patients with arterial hypertension.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate early changes in left ventricular longitudinal systolic function in patients with hypertension (HTN) with and without concomitant diastolic dysfunction (DD) and the clinical implications of these findings.

Method: We enrolled 299 patients with HTN and 297 age-matched patients with HTN and DD and compared both groups with an age-matched control group consisting of 100 healthy subjects. The long axis systolic function was investigated by determining the average peak systolic velocity of the septal and lateral mitral sites (Sm avg) using spectral pulsed wave tissue Doppler imaging (TDI).

A quantitative analysis of left ventricular filling pressures in patients with a reduced ejection fraction, with or without concomitant left bundle branch block.

Aim: This study aimed to prove that a mathematical model can be used to quantify the relationship between the left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP) determined as the E/e' ratio and the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) assessed by right heart catheterization (RHC) in patients with reduced ejection fractions (EF), with or without a left bundle branch block (LBBB). We hypothesize that such an approach will be clinically beneficial, especially for patients in the so-called "gray area," for whom E/e' is not a reliable index for assessment of the LVFP.

Method: We enrolled 64 patients in sinus rhythm and with a reduced EF, 31 of whom exhibited a LBBB on an ECG.