Multi-valve Libman-Sacks's endocarditis-related multiple, massive and fatal systemic embolization. A case report and a review of diagnostic work-up

We reported a case of non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) in a 37-year-old woman who presented with signs and symptoms of cardio-embolic cerebral stroke caused by a prothrombotic state due to underlying advanced uterine cancer. Multimodal imaging, including 3D-ecocardiography, as well as laboratory and cultural tests, were critical in making the diagnosis. After starting anticoagulation therapy with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), the patient underwent surgical aortic valve replacement due to worsening aortic valve function, initial left ventricle enlargement, increasing dimensions, and mobility of vegetations. Unfortunately, vegetations relapsed on the aortic valve bio-prosthesis as well as the mitral leaflets, resulting in a final picture of multi-valve NBTE. The fatal outcome was due to a massive multiple limb embolism, which resulted in leg amputations and septical complications. Starting with the case, we present a brief overview of the pathology's presentation, treatment, management, and prognosis, as well as the diagnostic work-up.

There is Nothing More Invisible than the Obvious: A Case Summary and Literature Review

Bioprosthetic valvular failure (BVF) is a pathological entity arising from a variety of conditions affecting prosthetic heart valves. It may present with an extremely varied pattern, and the identification of the exact etiology is vital to provide a prompt and adequate treatment. It is established that infective endocarditis mainly affects patients with intracardiac devices such as pacemakers or prosthetic valves, and it represents one of the principal mechanisms of BVF. Despite its high incidence, clinical presentations may be atypical, and a close monitoring is essential to prevent catastrophic consequences. We present the case of a partial valvular bioprosthesis detachment associated with a newly formed pseudoaneurysm due to a late infective endocarditis occurred after cardiac surgery, initially manifested with negative blood cultures and clinical findings. We also try to set up a literature review of the most common causes of valvular failure and pseudoaneurysm formation.

Lipomatous Atrial Septal Hypertrophy, an Unexpected Giant Interatrial Mass: A Case Report and Literature Review

Lipomatous atrial septal hypertrophy (LASH) is a histological cardiac benign lesion finding with high prevalence in healthy population, usually detected during imaging procedures for other indications. Nevertheless, it could become clinically significant if it compromises venous return and diastolic left ventricular filling, up to becoming an anatomical substrate for atrial tachyarrhythmias. We present a case of LASH diagnosed in a 54-year-old female patient admitted to our emergency department after ground fall and collateral finding of positive blood cultures leading to transesophageal echocardiography. A giant mass involving the interatrial septum was observed, in the absence of primitive neoplasia evidence after performing a total-body computed tomography scan and abdominal echography. No signs or symptoms of pulmonary venous congestion were observed, and no relevant tachyarrhythmias were detected at continuous electrocardiogram monitoring during the hospitalization period.

A giant and double-walled left atrial ball thrombus complicating a mitral stenosis: case report-a truck tire into the heart

BACKGROUND

High thromboembolic risk associated with rheumatic mitral stenosis has been well established, especially in concomitant atrial fibrillation; however, the presence of left atrium ball thrombus is an uncommon finding.

CASE SUMMARY

A 75-year-old woman with a history of mild rheumatic mitral stenosis was admitted to Emergency Department with cardiogenic shock and high ventricular rate atrial fibrillation. Emergency electrical cardioversion was performed-before trans-oesophageal echocardiography (TOE)-due to haemodynamic deterioration which restored sinus rhythm.Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) revealed severe reduction of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF: 15%), severe rheumatic mitral stenosis and a large, perfectly rounded mass, situated at the ostium of left upper pulmonary vein. Due to the persistence of haemodynamic instability and acute pulmonary oedema the patient was intubated and mechanically ventilated and treated with intravenous administration of inotropes and high doses of diuretics. During the stay in Intensive Care Unit, a TOE confirmed a spherical and double-walled mass suggesting a working diagnosis of left atrial ball thrombus (LABT). The case was discussed in Heart Team and considering the poor haemodynamic status in the contest of refractory cardiogenic shock with evidence of multi-organ failure, emergency surgical thrombectomy and mitral valve replacement was deemed prohibitive. Patient developed cardiac arrest and emergency TTE showed left atrial mass engaged into the mitral valve totally obstructing the left ventricle inflow tract. The autopsy and histologic examination confirmed the thrombotic nature of the mass.

DISCUSSION

A free-floating ball thrombus in the left atrium is an unusual occurrence in rheumatic mitral stenosis and it may cause fatal systemic embolization or acute left ventricular inflow obstruction, resulting in syncope, pulmonary congestion, and sudden cardiac death. When possible, emergency surgical thrombectomy and mitral valve replacement can be life-saving.

Different mechanisms of mitral regurgitation in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: A clinical case and literature review

Background

Abnormalities of the mitral valve (MV) apparatus are typical features of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). These abnormalities include leaflet elongation, thick leaflets, displacement of papillary muscle, and systolic anterior motion (SAM) of the MV anterior leaflet. Mitral valve chordal rupture associated with HCM is a rare but serious issue capable of change the clinical apparence and the prognosis of the patient.

Case summary

A 57-year-old lady with a history of diabetes, dyslipidemia, and a previous single episode of atrial fibrillation (treated with pharmacological cardioversion), presented to the Emergency Department for worsening dyspnea (New York Heart Association Classification class IV). A trans-thoracic echocardiogram (TTE) showed a significant, septal, and asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy (basal anteroseptal wall diastolic thickness of 19 mm) with normal left ventricle systolic function. A SAM of AML was evident together with a left ventricular outflow tract gradient of 56 mmHg at rest, rising to 136 mmHg during the Valsalva maneuver. In addition, there was evidence of moderate to severe mitral regurgitation (MR) with an anteriorly directed jet, not very typical of MR related to SAM. A 2D-3D trans-esophageal echocardiogram (2D-3D TEE) revealed a combined MR mechanism based on PML degenerative prolapse with P2-flail from ruptured chordae with related eccentric anteriorly directed regurgitant jet, together with a second regurgitant posteriorly directed jet, related to SAM of AML. The patient underwent MV repair together with septal myectomy, with a good final outcome.

Conclusion

Pre-operative echocardiography (both TTE and 2D-3D TEE) is an essential tool in order to detect different MV abnormalities in patients with HCM. These types of patients should never be treated by septal reduction alone. Surgical MV repair or replacement, together with septal myectomy, may be the preferred approach.

Urine alkalinisation to prevent contrast-induced acute kidney injury: the prospective, randomised, controlled, open-label TEATE trial

BACKGROUND

Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is prognostically relevant in invasive cardiological and radiological procedures. The administration of sodium bicarbonate has controversial effects. It has been hypothesised that bicarbonate is ineffective when unable to achieve adequate urine alkalinisation.

AIMS

We tested the hypothesis that alkaline urine status with oral or intravenous (i.v.) bicarbonate on top of hydration alone prevents CI-AKI.

METHODS

In a prospective, randomised, parallel-group, open-label trial, we compared 1) saline hydration alone (n=81); 2) i.v. bicarbonate (n=82); and 3) oral bicarbonate (n=78), in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) scheduled for the intra-arterial administration of contrast medium. The primary endpoint was the incidence of CI-AKI according to alkaline urine status achieved immediately before angiography. Secondary endpoints were the mean change of urine pH up to the time of angiography and the incidence of CI-AKI in the three groups.

RESULTS

The incidence of CI-AKI was not significantly different in the three treatment arms (20% in the hydration group, 21% in the oral bicarbonate group and 22% in the i.v. bicarbonate group; p=0.94). Patients achieving a pH >6 before angiography (n=145) had a significantly lower incidence of CI-AKI compared with the others (n=96; odds ratio [OR] 0.48, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.25-0.90; p=0.023, primary study hypothesis). The proportion of patients achieving a pH >6 was higher in the i.v. and oral bicarbonate groups compared with hydration alone.

CONCLUSIONS

Urinary pH before administration of contrast medium is an inverse correlate of CI-AKI incidence, and bicarbonate is superior to hydration alone in achieving urinary alkalinisation. Since, however, bicarbonate did not reduce the incidence of CI-AKI, we conclude that urinary pH is a marker and not a mediator of CI-AKI (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02980003).

P407 WHEN A SUPRA–VENTRICULAR TACHYCARDIA SAVES A LIFE

The Case

A 76–year–old man came to ER because of palpitations and a worsening chest discomfort. His clinical history included hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes and gouth. 12–leads ECG revealed a supraventricular tachycardia with heart rate of 190 bpm. It also demonstrated: widespread deep ST depression involving V2–6, I, II, aVL ST elevation in aVR > V1 (Figure 1). Adenosine (6 mg) intravenous administration led to sinus rhythm restoring with symptoms regression. 12–leads ECG after sinus rhythm restoring demonstrated a ST–T segment normalization (Figure 2). Trans–thoracic echocardiogram, acquired in sinus rhythm, showed a picture of left ventricle systolic dysfunction with ejection fraction of 35% due to a severe hypokinesis of mid–apical wall segments. A moderate mitral regurgitation with central jet was visible. An urgent coronary angiography was performed. It demonstrated a LEFT MAIN CORONARY ARTERY (LMCA) very severe (95%) proximal lesion. Patient was sent to urgent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Discussion

Widespread ST depression (with reciprocal STE in aVR) is a common finding in patients with supraventricular tachycardias such as AVNRT or atrial flutter. The significance of this finding in individual patients is unclear and may be due to: rate–related ischaemia (O2 demand higher than supply) unmasking of underlying coronary artery disease (i.e. tachycardia as a “stress test”) a pure electrical phenomenon (e.g. the young patient with SVT who is relatively asymptomatic and has normal coronary arteries). In this case, primary ECG pattern and then echocardiographic findings suggested a potentially lethal coronary artery disease which was confirmed by coronary angiography.

Conclusion

Sometime a supraventricular tachycardia may be helpful in order to bring out life–threatening disease.

788 Reverse McConnell’s sign in biventricular Takotsubo cardiomyopathy: how echo can guide the diagnosis

An 89-years-old woman presented at Emergency Department with a 10-h history of vertigo, headache, nausea, fatigue, and general discomfort. No chest pain or shortness of breath were reported. She had a history of hypertension, chronic kidney disease, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF), osteoporosis, and hypoacusia. The patient suffered of chronic anxiety and the caregiver referred for a recent and acute emotional distress. At the admission, the patient didn’t show clinical signs of peripheral hypoperfusion. Fine crackles at lungs bases were objectivable with coherent ultra-sound lung comets and mild bilateral pleural effusion. Her usual therapy included nebivolol, apixaban, torsemide, candesartan, and D-vitamin. The EKG showed AF with a heart rate of about 110 b.p.m., no ST-segment deviation and normal QTc. The echo findings showed a slight increase in left ventricle volume with a severe reduction of the ejection fraction due to the akinesia of all apical segments with the typical aspect of the ‘apical ballooning’ and concomitant hyperkinesia of the basal segments. Despite normal dimensions, also the right ventricle showed a peculiar contractile pattern, with hyperkinetic basal movement and akinesia of the apex with the hinge point located in the free wall portion in continuity with the LV septal wall. No significant valvular disease was documented except for moderate tricuspid regurgitation. High-sensitive I troponin peaked up to 1500 pg/ml. The clinical appearance was very suggestive of TTS but INTERTAK score of 61 was not diagnostic and, according to the most recent consensus document, a coronary angiography was performed, without documentation of coronary artery disease. During the hospitalization serial electrocardiographic monitoring showed significant and transient QTc prolongation and dynamic T wave changes resulting in progressive INTERTAK score increase. No ventricular arrhythmic events occurred. The patient was treated with careful fluid support and with beta-blockers for AF rate control. Multiple echocardiographic evaluations documented a progressive recovery of systolic function up to complete normalization of biventricular global and regional systolic function. Clinical data, instrumental evidences and dynamic evolution oriented the diagnosis towards TTS with unusual and uneven impairment of right and left ventricular function. The described case focuses the attention on the reverse McConnell’s sign, an echocardiographic finding not often described in the literature, consisting of akinetic right ventricle apical segment and hyperkinetic basal and mid free wall. This discordant motion is exactly opposite to the classic echocardiographic RV aspect detected in acute significative pulmonary embolism described as McConnell’s sign, hence the name. It has been suggested that this functional variation might be a self-protection system of the heart through a mechanism of hibernation that is similar to that occurring during chronic hypoxia, consisting in a decrease in the ATP utilization and O2 consumption, as suggested by the activation of intracellular β2-induced signalling patterns documented in TTS. Recognizing this finding it’s important not only because it has been associated with a higher risk of developing haemodynamic instability but also to orient working diagnosis of TTS when initial clinical assessment through the INTERTAK score is inconclusive.

651 Prevention of contrast induced nephropathy with urine alkalinization: the final results of the TEATE study

Aims

Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) after coronary angiography and percutaneous interventions (PCI) impacts on hospitalization duration and mortality. Pre-procedural hydration is the sole strategy currently recommended for preventing CI-AKI. The role of sodium bicarbonate (SB) although attractive, since urine alkalinization suppresses the production of reactive oxygen species, is still controversial, and the optimal dosing to attain adequate urine alkalinization is still undefined. The PrevenTion of contrast-inducEd nephropathy with urine alkalinization (TEATE) study was a prospective 3-centre 3-arm single-blind randomized controlled trial testing the hypothesis that adequate urine alkalinization is associated with CI-AKI prevention. Secondary endpoints were the efficacy of SB vs. saline in achieving adequate urine alkalinization and reducing the incidence of CI-AKI compared with saline.

Methods and results

Patients candidate to coronary angiography and/or PCI with moderate-to-severe chronic kidney disease [eGFR of 15–60 ml/min/1.73 m2, by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study equation (MDRD)] were randomly assigned to saline hydration (control), oral SB or i.v. SB. The study protocol was registered (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02980003). We evaluated urinary pH at the time of hospitalization, immediately before coronary angiography and 24–48 h after angiography. According to urine pH immediately before the procedure, patients were divided in two groups above or below a pH cut-off of 6. We enrolled a total of 241 patients: 81 were randomly assigned to the control group, 82 to i.v. SB and 78 to oral SB. Patients achieving a urinary pH > 6 before angiography had a lower incidence of CI-AKI (46%) than patients with urinary pH ≤ 6 (54%) [OR = 0.48 (95% CI: 0.25–0.9), P = 0.023]. The number of patients with urine pH > 6 was higher in both the i.v. (71%) and the oral SB (65%) groups compared to the hydration-only group (44%, P = 0.004). We found however no difference in the incidence of CI-AKI in the three treatment arms (20% in hydration alone, 21% in oral SB group and 22% in i.v. SB group) (P = 0.94). Subgroup analyses according to basal urine pH and eGFR ranges failed to identify statistically significant differences in the development of CI-AKI according to treatment allocation.

Conclusions

Urinary pH before the administration of contrast medium is an inverse correlate of CI-AKI incidence, and SB is superior to hydration alone in achieving urinary alkalinization. Since, however, SB did not reduce the incidence of CI-AKI, we conclude that urinary pH is a marker and not a mediator of CI-AKI.

Prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy with urine alkalinization: the TEATE study

Background

Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) after coronary angiography and percutaneous interventions (PCI) impacts on hospitalization duration and mortality. Pre-procedural hydration is the sole strategy currently recommended for preventing CI-AKI. The role of sodium bicarbonate (SB) although attractive, since urine alkalinization suppresses the production of reactive oxygen species, is still controversial, and the optimal dosing to attain adequate urine alkalinization is still undefined.

Purpose

The PrevenTion of contrast-inducEd nephropathy with urine alkalinization (TEATE) study was a prospective 3-center 3-arm single-blind randomized controlled trial testing the hypothesis that adequate urine alkalinization is associated with CI-AKI prevention. Secondary endpoints were the efficacy of SB vs saline in achieving adequate urine alkalinization and reducing the incidence of CI-AKI compared with saline.

Methods

Patients candidate to coronary angiography and/or PCI with moderate-to-severe chronic kidney disease [eGFR of 15 to 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study equation (MDRD)] were randomly assigned to saline hydration (control), oral SB or i.v. SB. The study protocol was registered. We evaluated urinary pH at the time of hospitalization, immediately before coronary angiography and 24–48 hours after angiography. According to urine pH immediately before the procedure, patients were divided in two groups above or below a pH cut-off of 6.

Results

We enrolled a total of 241 patients: 81 were randomly assigned to the control group, 82 to i.v. SB and 78 to oral SB. Patients achieving a urinary pH >6 before angiography had a lower incidence of CI-AKI (46%) than patients with urinary pH ≤6 (54%) [OR=0.48 (95% CI 0.25–0.9) p=0.023]. The number of patients with urine pH >6 was higher in both the i.v. (71%) and the oral SB (65%) groups compared to the hydration-only group (44%, p=0.004). We found however no difference in the incidence of CI-AKI in the 3 treatment arms (20% in hydration alone, 21% in oral SB group and 22% in iv SB group) (p=0.94). Subgroup analyses according to basal urine pH and eGFR ranges failed to identify statistically significant differences in the development of CI-AKI according to treatment allocation.

Conclusions

Urinary pH before the administration of contrast medium is an inverse correlate of CI-AKI incidence, and SB is superior to hydration alone in achieving urinary alkalinization. Since, however, SB did not reduce the incidence of CI-AKI, we conclude that urinary pH is a marker and not a mediator of CI-AKI.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

PrevenTion of contrast-inducEd nephropAThy with urinE alkalinization: the TEATE study design

: Intravascular administration of iodinated contrast media is an essential tool for the imaging of blood vessels and cardiac chambers, as well as for percutaneous coronary and structural interventions. Along with the spreading of diagnostic and interventional procedures, the increasing incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) has become an important and prognostically relevant problem. CIN is thought to be largely dependent on oxidative damage, and is a considerable cause of renal failure, being associated with prolonged hospitalization and significant morbidity/mortality. The most effective treatment strategy of this serious complication remains prevention, and several preventive measures have been extensively investigated in the last few years.Preprocedural hydration is the best-known and mostly accepted strategy. The administration of sodium bicarbonate has controversial effects, and is likely to be ineffective when the infused dose is unable to achieve adequate urine alkalinization. Since alkaline pH suppresses the production of free radicals, increasing urine pH would be an attractive goal for CIN prevention.In a prospective randomized controlled, open-label clinical trial we will test the hypothesis that urine alkalinization with either oral or intravenous bicarbonate on top of hydration alone is the main determinant of CIN prevention (primary endpoint) in a population of patients with moderate or severe chronic kidney disease scheduled for coronary angiography and/or angioplasty. If we then demonstrate nonsignificant differences in urine alkalinization and incidence of CIN between the two bicarbonate groups (secondary endpoint), a practical implication will be that oral administration is preferable for practical reasons over the administration of intravenous bicarbonate.