Relapsing endocarditis caused by Enterococcus faecalis forming small colony variants.

Small colony variants (SCVs) are subpopulations of a bacterial strain that differ in morphology, growth rate, metabolism, and antibiotic sensitivity from the parent line. They are associated with chronic and difficult-to-treat infections. SCV endocarditis is very rare and usually associated with intracardiac devices.

[Infected myxoma as a cause of acute infective endocarditis].

Myxoma is the most frequent primary cardiac tumor. In the typical clinical picture mostly dominate signs of intracardial obstruction, embolisation or general signs of neoplastic process. The myxoma can mimic the course of acute endocarditis.

Long-term effect of isosorbide dinitrate and nifedipine, singly and in association, in patients with chronic heart failure.

The effect of 2-month treatment with isosorbide dinitrate (120 mg day-1), nifedipine (2 x 20 mg day-1) and their combination has been assessed in 16 patients with mild to moderate chronic cardiac failure. Isosorbide dinitrate decreased right atrial (-23%), pulmonary wedge (-20%) and pulmonary arterial (-17%) pressures but did not significantly change either cardiac output or systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance. Nifedipine increased cardiac output (+13%) and decreased systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance (both -17%) with no change of pressures.