Mitral valve repair is preferred to replacement in infective endocarditis, but in the active phase, it often requires extensive debridement of infected tissue and complex reconstruction. We investigated 22 consecutive native mitral valve operations during active-phase infective endocarditis. The time from initiation of medical treatment to operation was 16.8 ± 16.4 days. Mitral valve repair was performed in 15 (68.2%) patients, using prosthetic annuloplasty in 14, an autologous pericardial patch in 11, and artificial chordal replacement in 9. Hospital mortality was 9.1% (2 patients), due to subarachnoid hemorrhage and pneumonia. One patient died 26 months after valve replacement due to congestive heart failure. The postoperative left ventricular end-diastolic dimension was significantly smaller (45.7 ± 5.6 vs. 53.3 ± 10.2 mm) and ejection fraction was significantly higher (57.0% ± 14.7% vs. 40.1% ± 8.2%) in patients who underwent valve repair compared to those who had valve replacement. Mitral regurgitation requiring reoperation occurred in 3 patients during follow-up. Mitral valve repair is feasible in active-phase infective endocarditis, and results in improved regression of left ventricular dimensions compared to valve replacement. However, complex mitral valve repair with extensive leaflet resection may not have long-term durability.
The ALPS approach provides good surgical exposure for distal aortic arch aneurysms extending to the descending aorta and ensures the accurate reconstruction of the distal anastomosis without major complications.
Pericardial abscess is rare in healthy individuals, especially the amebic type. We report a case of pericardial abscess and cardiac tamponade due to intrapericardial rupture of an amebic liver abscess. A 31-year old Japanese male complained of fever to a local hospital. A liver mass was discovered in his left hepatic lobe by an abdominal echogram. He was referred to the internal department of our hospital and was treated with quinolone antibiotics. Two weeks after medication, he suddenly complained of epigastralgia and severe orthopnea and was admitted. Abdominal computed tomographic scan showed an enlarged liver mass, and massive pericardial effusion suggested cardiac tamponade. He underwent an emergency subxiphoid partial pericardiectomy under local anesthesia. 1,000 ml of light brownish fluid was removed and his condition improved. Although no ameba was cultivated from the pus, the amebic serological test was positive. Metronidazole was administered and the patient was discharged 31 days after surgery.
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