Compared with the extensive data on left‐sided infective endocarditis ( IE ), there is much less published information on the features and management of right‐sided IE . Right‐sided IE accounts for 5% to 10% of all IE cases, and compared with left‐sided IE , it is more often associated with intravenous drug use, intracardiac devices, and central venous catheters, all of which has become more prevalent over the past 20 years. In this manuscript on right‐sided IE we provide an up‐to‐date overview on the epidemiology, etiology, microbiology, potential locations of infection in the right heart, diagnosis, imaging, common complications, management, and prognosis. We present updated information on the treatment of pacemaker and device infections, infected fibrin sheaths that appear to be an easily missed source of infection after central line as well as pacemaker removal. We review current data on the AngioVac percutaneous aspiration device, which can obviate the need for surgery in patients with infected pacemaker leads and fibrin sheaths. We also focused on advanced diagnostic modalities, such as positron emission tomography/computed tomography. All of these are supported by specific case examples with detailed echocardiographic imaging from our experience.
Objectives: Current nonpharmacological therapies for symptomatic patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM), including septal myectomy and alcohol septal ablation (ASA), carry significant risks for serious cardiac conduction abnormalities. We present a review of the currently available published data regarding the novel use of the relatively low-risk MitraClip® system in the treatment of symptomatic patients. Methods: Data were collected from 4 separate studies on the use of the MitraClip on 15 symptomatic HOCM patients with systolic anterior motion (SAM) of the mitral valve apparatus. Information regarding the degree of mitral regurgitation (MR), left-ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) gradient, and NYHA class was consolidated. Results: After MitraClip treatment,all patients had a resolution of SAM, a reduction in MR, and a reduction in the LVOT gradient from a mean of 75.8 ± 39.7 to 11.0 ± 5.6 mm Hg. Nearly all patients demonstrated improvements in symptoms by either new NYHA class designations or improved exercise tolerance. The procedure was not associated with conduction abnormalities or arrhythmias. Conclusion: MitraClip therapy may be a safe and effective treatment for symptomatic HOCM patients; it can help to avoid the potential risks associated with alternative therapies in high-risk surgical patients.
Ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation has improved quality of life and short-term survival for advanced heart failure patients. There are limited data from single-center studies addressing the characteristics and etiologies of 30 day readmissions after VAD implant. We used the Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD) 2014 to identify insertion of implantable heart assist system during index admission. Primary and secondary outcomes were 30 day readmissions and leading etiologies, respectively. We analyzed 1,481 patients who received VAD during the primary admission of whom 1,315 patients survived to hospital discharge (mortality rate 11.2%), and 60.6% were discharged to a nursing facility. One hundred and thirty-one (10.0%) patients were readmitted within 30 days of primary hospitalization. Leading etiologies of 30 day readmission were bleeding (24%), heart failure (18%), and device complications (14%). Mean length of stay during readmission was 13.8 days with a mortality rate of 2.1%. Fifty percent of 30 day readmissions were readmitted from day 22 to 30. Variables for predictors of 30 day readmissions were not statistically significant. By identifying gastrointestinal bleeding, heart failure, and device complications as leading etiologies of 30 day readmission post-VAD implantation, providers can potentially modify practices to prevent hospital readmissions, decreasing cost of care, and improving the quality of life of patients.
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