Endocarditis caused by Abiotrophia defectiva.

A 35-year-old man with pre-existing rheumatic heart disease and aortic regurgitation (AR) presented with intermittent fever, ankle swelling and clinical evidence of endocarditis. Transoesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) revealed vegetations and destruction of the aortic valve (AV). Blood cultures grew a gram positive coccobacillus which was phenotypically identified as Abiotrophia defectvia (A.

Coronary bypass surgery in patients on thyroxin replacement therapy.

The outcome of coronary bypass surgery was analyzed in 25 patients who were on thyroxin replacement therapy for chronic thyroid disorders at the time of operation. It was hypothesized that if such patients were given only their routine dose of thyroxin on the day of surgery, hemodynamic and cardiorespiratory recovery may be poor. All the patients on thyroxin replacement therapy were given their routine dose of thyroxin orally or via a nasogastric tube in the perioperative period.