Aims The EURO-ENDO registry aimed to study the management and outcomes of patients with infective endocarditis (IE). Methods and results Prospective cohort of 3116 adult patients (2470 from Europe, 646 from non-ESC countries), admitted to 156 hospitals in 40 countries between January 2016 and March 2018 with a diagnosis of IE based on ESC 2015 diagnostic criteria. Clinical, biological, microbiological, and imaging [echocardiography, computed tomography (CT) scan, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT)] data were collected. Infective endocarditis was native (NVE) in 1764 (56.6%) patients, prosthetic (PVIE) in 939 (30.1%), and device-related (CDRIE) in 308 (9.9%). Infective endocarditis was community-acquired in 2046 (65.66%) patients. Microorganisms involved were staphylococci in 1085 (44.1%) patients, oral streptococci in 304 (12.3%), enterococci in 390 (15.8%), and Streptococcus gallolyticus in 162 (6.6%). 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography was performed in 518 (16.6%) patients and presented with cardiac uptake (major criterion) in 222 (42.9%) patients, with a better sensitivity in PVIE (66.8%) than in NVE (28.0%) and CDRIE (16.3%). Embolic events occurred in 20.6% of patients, and were significantly associated with tricuspid or pulmonary IE, presence of a vegetation and Staphylococcus aureus IE. According to ESC guidelines, cardiac surgery was indicated in 2160 (69.3%) patients, but finally performed in only 1596 (73.9%) of them. In-hospital death occurred in 532 (17.1%) patients and was more frequent in PVIE. Independent predictors of mortality were Charlson index, creatinine > 2 mg/dL, congestive heart failure, vegetation length > 10 mm, cerebral complications, abscess, and failure to undertake surgery when indicated. Conclusion Infective endocarditis is still a life-threatening disease with frequent lethal outcome despite profound changes in its clinical, microbiological, imaging, and therapeutic profiles.

Conclusions: A shortage of resources is evident, with an impact on HIV care inevitable. We need to prepare to operate with minimal medical resources, with the aim of securing constant supplies of ART. Nongovernmental organizations should re-evaluate their earlier objectives and support efforts to ensure continuity of ART delivery.

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Purpose High mortality and a limited performance of valvular surgery are typical features of infective endocarditis (IE) in octogenarians, even though surgical treatment is a major determinant of a successful outcome in IE. Methods Data from the prospective multicentre ESC EORP EURO-ENDO registry were used to assess the prognostic role of valvular surgery depending on age. Results As compared to < 80 yo patients, ≥ 80 yo had lower rates of theoretical indication for valvular surgery (49.1% vs. 60.3%, p < 0.001), of surgery performed (37.0% vs. 75.5%, p < 0.001), and a higher in-hospital (25.9% vs. 15.8%, p < 0.001) and 1-year mortality (41.3% vs. 22.2%, p < 0.001). By multivariable analysis, age per se was not predictive of 1-year mortality, but lack of surgical procedures when indicated was strongly predictive ). By propensity analysis, 304 ≥ 80 yo were matched to 608 < 80 yo patients. Propensity analysis confirmed the lower rate of indication for valvular surgery (51.3% vs. 57.2%, p = 0.031) and of surgery performed (35.3% vs. 68.4%, p < 0.0001) in ≥ 80 yo. Overall mortality remained higher in ≥ 80 yo (in-hospital: HR 1.50[1.06-2.13], p = 0.0210; 1-yr: HR 1.58[1.21-2.05], p = 0.0006), but was not different from that of < 80 yo among those who had surgery (in-hospital: 19.7% vs. 20.0%, p = 0.4236; 1-year: 27.3% vs. 25.5%, p = 0.7176). Conclusion Although mortality rates are consistently higher in ≥ 80 yo patients than in < 80 yo patients in the general population, mortality of surgery in ≥ 80 yo is similar to < 80 yo after matching patients. These results confirm the importance of a better recognition of surgical indication and of an increased performance of surgery in ≥ 80 yo patients.

Background and Objectives: There is emerging evidence of the usefulness of left atrial strain (LAS) in the assessment of diastolic dysfunction (DD). In this study we assess the sensitivity and specificity of LAS, to determine cut-off values and their association to DD with increased left atrial pressure (LAP) in patients with well-treated arterial hypertension. Materials and Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study on 180 subjects with well-treated arterial hypertension. All patients underwent transthoracic echocardiography. Patients were divided into two groups: a group without increased LAP and/or DD and a group with increased LAP DD. Results: In multivariate logistic regression, LAS proved to be the strongest statistically significant predictor of DD with increased LAP (OR 0.834, p < 0.0005), with AUC 0.885 and a set cut-off value of 24.27% with high sensitivity of 78.9% and specificity of 84.6%. The set cut-off for LAS > 24.27% was significantly highly prevalent in the group of DD with increased LAP 78.9% when compared to the group without increased LAP 15.4%, p < 0.0001. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that LAS could be a useful and highly sensitive and specific marker in the evaluation of DD. There is the potential for using LAS in everyday practice as a standard parameter in diastolic function assessment.

Introduction/Objective. The purpose of the Echocardiographic Society of Serbia (ECHOS) national survey was to assess current echocardiography practice in Serbia, the availability of different echocardiographic techniques and self-perceived need for improvement at personal and institutional level. Methods. A survey comprising 20 questions about demographics, numbers and distribution of echocardiographic equipment and techniques, image acquisition and reporting standards as well as future educational preferences was sent to all ECHOS members via email. Results. A total of 106 members (42%) answered the survey. Echocardiographic examinations are most frequently performed by cardiologists and internal medicine specialists. Transesophageal echocardiography (TOE), stress echocardiography (SECHO) and speckle tracking echocardiography (SpTE) are available in approximately 20% of centers, three-dimensional echocardiography in 11%, while contrast echocardiography is practiced in only two centers. Less than a third of respondents always attach electrocardiographic electrodes and archive examinations. Almost all respondents (96%), always evaluate both systolic and diastolic function of the left ventricle (LV), although systolic LV function is frequently assessed (55%) using non-standard methods. The newer echocardiographic machines are more often available at university than non-university centers (87 versus 44%, p < 0.01). SECHO was perceived as the most needed technique at the institutional level, while SpTE and TOE were most often reported personal aspirations of the respondents. Conclusion. Advanced techniques, SECHO and TOE are needed but rarely performed outside the university hospitals in Serbia. In order to achieve a better adherence to standards of practice in echocardiography, the development of national guidelines and personal and laboratory accreditation seem warranted.

Case presentation UDRUŽENJE KARDIOLOGA SRBIJE CARDIOLOGY SOCIETY OF SERBIA Introduction: Carbon monoxide (CO) is a leading cause of poisoning worldwide.Central nervous systems and the heart have the highest demand for oxygen and may be severely injured in CO poisoning. Case report: A patient was referred to the emergency department after exposure to CO and strong emotional stress. On admission she was comatose with elevated lactate 14,62, metHgb 0,3% and carboxyhemoglobin 12,9%. Electrocardiogram showed sinus rhythm, 100 beats/min, poor R wave progression with inverted T waves in V1-V3 leads, biphasic T waves in V5 and V6. Transthoracic echocardioography showed left ventricle with akinetic apex and all apical segments of the left ventricle with reduced systolic function. Cardiac troponin was significantly elevated; coronary angiography showed normal coronary arteries without culprit lesion. Takotsubo syndrome was diagnosed. She was treated with high flow oxygen on mechanical ventilation, antiplatelet, angiotenzinconvertase inhibitors, beta blockers and statin therapy with complete recovery. After one month ehocardiography showed left ventricle normal in size and function. Conclusion: CO poisoning hasn't yet been described as a trigger for Takotsubo syndrome. We propose that two risk factors CO poisoning and stress by may have initiated a catecholamine surge and caused the development of this specific condition. carbon monoxide poisoning, cardiotoxicity, takotsubo syndrome

Background It is known that gestational hypertension (GH) and preeclampsia have been associated with the onset of hypertension later in life. We wondered if the blood pressure (BP) pattern affects the incidence of hypertension in the future. Purpose The aim of this study was to determine whether hypertension occurs more frequently if a non-dipping pattern was registered during GH, but also if non-dipping pattern in GH afects deterioration of systolic function of the left ventricle (LV) later in life. Methods This longitudinal study included 56 pregnant women with gestational hypertension (of which 28 met criteria for non-dipping pattern of BP, according to the values registrated by the ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) – non-dippers, while other 28 were classified in dippers) and 27 normotensive pregnant women, as control. All of women became normotensive after delivery, but they continued to be periodically controlled in term of values of blood pressure. The function and morphology of the left ventricle (LV) were analyzed by echocardiography exam in the third trimester of pregnancy and 5 years after delivery, as well as ABPM, while 2D longitudinal strain (LS) was performed only after delivery in order to evaluate systolic function of the LV. All echo and ABPM parameters recorded during pregnancy, also as parameters of pregnancy outcome – intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and preterm delivery, were analyzed, in order to relate them with later onset of hypertension. Results After, average 5 years, diagnosis of hypertension was determined in 8 women (2 from dipper group – during pregnancy – 7,1%, and 6 from non-dipper group 21,4%). Those 8 hypertensive women had significantly reduced LS: −18,12±1,3 compared to normotensive −19,9±1,4 (p=0,001). It is very interesting that, 5 years after delivery, values of 2D LS were, although in reference values, significantly reduced in women who were non-dippers (−19,32±1,38) during GH, compared with both, normotensive (−20,69±1,18; p<0,0005) and dippers (−20,10±1,29; p=0,026). Univariate regression analysis revealed that higher values of day and night BP, the mean arterial BP, LV mass index, preterm delivery and IUGR were associated with onset of hypertension later in life, while parameters of systolic and diastolic function of the LV during pregnancy, didn't affect occurrence of it. As revealed by multivariate regression analysis, the peak value of night-time diastolic blood pressure during pregnancy (p=0,016; OR=1,127; 95% CI: 1,022–1,242) and the LV mass index, also during pregnancy (p=0,041; OR=1,099; 95% CI: 1,004–1,203) had strong relation with hypertension in future life. Conclusion The non-dipping pattern of blood pressure in gestationl hypertension is significant associate with onset of hypertension later in life, but also with decreased systolic function of the left ventricle. Acknowledgement/Funding Provincial Secretariat for Health of the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina