A 28-year-old man with a bicuspid aortic valve presented with facial droop and slurred speech with several months of constitutional symptoms of night sweats, weight loss and productive cough. Examination confirmed aortic regurgitation, palpable spleen and left facial droop. Multiple peripheral blood cultures were negative. Inflammatory markers, cytoplasmic staining antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (cANCA) and anti-PR3 antibody were all elevated. MRI of the brain and CT of the chest and abdomen confirmed embolic infarcts to brain, kidney and spleen. Transoesophageal echocardiogram (ECG) showed valve vegetations and severe aortic regurgitation. Endocardial Wegener's granulomatosis was considered. Aortic valve replacement was performed. Grindings from aortic valve leaflets were analysed for rpoB gene, which confirmed the presence of Bartonella henselae. Serological assays demonstrated B henselae IgM 20 (normal <20) and IgG >2048 (normal < 64). The patient completely recovered after prolonged antibiotic treatment. Culture-negative infective endocarditis may mimic vasculitis and be associated with positive cANCA. Serology and molecular techniques may aid diagnosis.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3030181 | PMC |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bcr.04.2010.2945 | DOI Listing |
J Cardiothorac Surg
January 2025
The First Hospital of Tsinghua University, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
Background: Patients with pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect (PA/VSD) are prone to progressive aortic dilation. However, there are relatively few reports of progressive development of aortic aneurysm or aortic dissection in adult patients who missed early corrective surgery.
Presentation Of Cases: Case 1: A 38-year-old man with PA/VSD and a bicuspid aortic valve (BAV), underwent VSD repair, aortic valve replacement, and PA correction at age 21.
JACC Cardiovasc Interv
January 2025
Department of Cardiology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Electronic address:
Background: Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) harbors the risk of periprocedural complications that require emergent cardiac surgery, or "surgical bailout." Surgical bailout intends to be lifesaving but is associated with high mortality. This has given rise to discussion on the necessity of surgical backup during TAVR.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJACC Cardiovasc Interv
January 2025
Department of Cardiology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. Electronic address:
Background: Reports on the durability of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) prostheses are scarce and confounded by varying definitions and competing risks of death.
Objectives: The authors sought to determine the incidence, predictors, and clinical outcomes of hemodynamic valve deterioration (HVD) according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium 3 definition after TAVR.
Methods: We analyzed consecutive patients undergoing TAVR in the prospective Bern TAVI (Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation) registry between August 2007 and June 2022 for the incidence and predictors of HVD and performed case control-matching to compare outcomes according to HVD.
JACC Cardiovasc Interv
January 2025
Section of Interventional Cardiology, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, Washington, DC, USA.
JACC Cardiovasc Interv
January 2025
Clinic for General and Interventional Cardiology/Angiology, Herz- und Diabeteszentrum NRW, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bad Oeynhausen, Germany. Electronic address:
Background: As transcatheter aortic valve replacement is performed increasingly in younger, low-risk patients, the need for commissural alignment and coronary access has increased. Design elements of the JenaValve Trilogy (JVT) transcatheter heart valve (THV) ensure both.
Objectives: This study sought to evaluate the outcome of patients with aortic stenosis (AS) treated with this novel transfemoral, self-expanding THV.
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!