Isolated pulmonic valve endocarditis is an uncommon clinical entity and is usually associated with intravenous drug abuse. We describe a case of isolated pulmonary valve endocarditis in a young woman with no apparent precipitating factors other than a history of recent normal delivery. During the clinical course she suffered a pulmonary embolism which could be managed conservatively and she was discharged after a 4-week course of antibiotic therapy. The literature on the isolated pulmonary valve endocarditis is reviewed.

BackgroundEarly diagnosis and risk-stratification among infective endocarditis (IE) patients are limited by poor microbiological yield and inadequate characterization of vegetations. A simple tool that can predict adverse outcomes in the early phase of management is required.AimTo study the prognostic value of C-reactive protein (CRP) levels at admission and its role in predicting various clinical outcomes.MethodsIn a prospective study of consecutive IE patients diagnosed by modified Duke’s criteria, we measured the peak levels of CRP and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in the first 3 days of admission and correlated it with in-hospital mortality, six-month mortality, embolic phenomena and the need for urgent surgery. Predefined laboratory-microbiological sampling protocols and antibiotic-initiation protocols were followed. Receiver-operating-characteristics curves were generated to identify a reliable cut-off for CRP in predicting various outcomes.ResultsOut of 101 patients who were treated, 85 patients had ‘definite’ IE. Blood cultures were positive in 55% (n = 39); and Staphylococcus species was the most common organism. Major complications occurred in 74.1% (n = 63) and in-hospital mortality was 32.9% (n = 28). Mean ESR and CRP levels were 102 ± 31 mm/h and 51 ± 20 mg/l, respectively. In multivariable analysis, high CRP levels were independently predictive of mortality, major complications, embolic events and need for urgent surgery. A CRP >40 mg/l predicted adverse outcomes with a sensitivity of 73% and specificity of 99%.ConclusionThe study shows that baseline CRP level in the first 3 days of admission is a strong predictor of short term adverse outcomes in IE patients, and a useful marker for early risk stratification.

RV function indices like TAPSE, MPI-TDI and S' velocity are useful in predicting proximal RCA stenosis in first episode of acute IWMI.

CSFT is a simple method to assess the transit time through coronary microcirculation. CSFT was significantly delayed in patients with angina and normal coronaries. TMP and cTIMI frame count were not significantly different between groups.

There were significantly lower mitral annular motion parameters including MAPSE in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis. Those with atrial fibrillation had higher MPI. Immediately after BMV, there was improvement in LV long axis function with a gradual improvement in global LV function. There was no significant change of MAPSE after BMV.

Ivabradine or atenolol can be used for heart rate control in patients with moderate mitral stenosis in sinus rhythm. Ivabradine is not superior to atenolol for controlling heart rate or exercise capacity. Left ventricular MPI was unaffected by either of the drugs.

Pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (AVM) are very rare and carry the risk of cerebral thrombo-embolism, brain abscess or pulmonary hemorrhage. The Amplatzer vascular plug II (AVP II) is a new device, used for embolization of the pulmonary AVMs. We report a case of pulmonary AVM successfully managed by using AVP II in a patient with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT).

Low BMI and normal WC were associated with a worse short-term outcome in patients with acute MI. Neither BMI nor WC independently predicted cardiac events or death after acute MI.