bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
P1289 Echocardiograhic prediction of pulmonary arterial capacitance in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Fontes Oliveira M , Trepa M , Costa R , Dias Frias A , Cabral S , Santos M , Torres S , Reis A 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Background
Pulmonary arterial capacitance (PAC) has emerged as one of the strongest hemodynamic predictors of adverse outcomes in a wide spectrum of cardiovascular diseases, including pulmonary hypertension in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF-PH). We aimed to study non-invasive surrogates for PAC using transthoracic echocardiography in this population.

Methods
We retrospectively evaluated consecutive patients referred to an expert tertiary care referral centre from December 2016 to November 2018. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was performed within 1 year of right heart catheterization (RHC). Echo-Pac software from GE Healthcare® was used to perform echocardiographic analysis. PAC was calculated dividing right ventricular stroke volume by pulmonary arterial pulse (systolic – diastolic) pressure, measured by RHC.

Results
Of the 105 enrolled patients, 43 were had HFpEF-PH. Among these, 72% were female and mean age was 68.9 ± 11.2 years. Median time between TTE and RHC was 68 (IQR 34 – 191) days. Most patients were in NYHA class II (60.5%) and class III (34.9%). Fifty eight percent of the patients had history of paroxysmal or permanent atrial fibrillation. This population presented borderline parameters of right ventricle (RV) systolic dysfunction: fractional area change (FAC) 35.3 ± 9.2%, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) 18.3 ± 5.1 mm, tricuspid S’ wave 10.4 ± 2.9 and RV global longitudinal strain -15.5 ± 4.0. Regarding invasive assessment, this population presented mean pulmonary artery pressures of 38.8 ± 13.9 mmHg, pulmonary artery wedge pressure of 21.6 ± 6.4 mmHg, pulmonary vascular resistance of 3.9 ± 2.7 Wood and median PAC of 0.13 (IQR 0.09 – 0.19) ml/mmHg. The TAPSE / Pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP) ratio and the Right ventricular outflow track velocity time integral (RVOT VTI) / PASP ratio were the parameters that best correlated with PAC (r = 0.69, p = 0.002 for both parameters) (table 1). These parameters were obtainable in the majority of patients (31/43). Blant-Altman analysis revealed good agreement between these measures and PAC with a mean difference of - 0.17 (CI -0.21 - -0.13) for RVOT VTI / PASP ratio and -0.23 (CI -0.28 - -0.18) for TAPSE /PASP ratio.

Conclusion
In a HFpEF – PH population, TAPSE / PASP and RVOT VTI / PASP are easily obtainable in most patients and significantly correlate with PAC.
Abstract P1289 Figure.
P1304 Is antibiotic profilaxis really not needed in mitral valve prolapse?
Authors: Suma S , Coli S , Serra W , Spaggiari I , Botti A , Cozza F , Garibaldi S , Gaibazzi N 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Patient Presentation
A 54 years old woman with dyslipidemia was admitted to the hospital due to the onset of persistent fever. She had no significant comorbidities and she had a known mitral valve prolapse, which was in clinical and echocardiographic follow-up since more than 15 years before.
Two months before the hospitalization she underwent dental hygiene procedure without taking any antibiotic before. The procedure included scaling and polishing of the teeth, and she referred just a mild bleeding. After few days she reported the onset of fever and therefore she started to take amoxicilline/clavulanic acid but without any significant improvement of symptoms.
Initial work up
At the blood chemistry she had a mild leucocytosis with neutrophilia and a rise in inflammatory indices. The Chest x-ray was normal. A systolic murmur was evident at the physical examination. Therefore, Transthoracic Echocardiogram was performed, followed by Transesophageal Echocardiogram (see Figure). At the Echo there was a significant endocarditic involvement of the mitral valve with multiple vegetations, two on the posterior leaflet (scallop P1 and P3) and one on the anterior one (scallop A3); moreover, there was a flail of the posterior leaflet (scallop P1) with subsequent moderate to severe eccentric valve regurgitation.
Diagnosis and management
Diagnosis of Endocarditis was made and, thus, antibiotic therapy was started with gentamicin and daptomycin, then switched to ampicillin and ceftriaxone after the isolation at the blood culture of Enterococcus Faecalis sensitive to them. Cerebral CT was performed with no evidence of embolization. Finally, owing to the significant endocarditis of the mitral valve with associate moderate to severe regurgitation, the patient underwent surgical intervention with mitral valve replacement with bioprosthesis.
Follow-up
The post-operative period was regular with no significant complications. She had no more fever and the antibiotics were stopped after six weeks.

Conclusion
We reported the case of a severe endocarditic involvement of the mitral valve in a patient with known valvular prolapse, who did not take any antibiotic before a minor dental procedure.
2015 ESC guidelines on Endocarditis recommend to not perform antibiotic prophylaxis in patient with no valvular prosthesis but with other form of valvular disease, including mitral valve prolapse (Class III, level of evidence C). Most of the time, patients with other form of valvular disease (e.g. mitral valve prolapse, bicuspid aortic valve, calcific aortic stenosis) do not experience endocarditis, neither after dental procedures. However, this case shows that sometimes it can happen due to the abnormal conformation of the native valve and, hence, it makes us wonder whether the antibiotic therapy should be indicated before dental procedures in those kind of patients.
Abstract P1304 Figure.
P1305 Rare complication of a frequent disease
Authors: Boeangiu S , Stoica E , Anton M , Maresiu C , Margineanu C , Marin G , Penes D , Chioncel O 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Introduction
Splenic abcess represents a rare complication of left-sided infective endocarditis. Unlike splenic infarction, which is a more benign condition, splenic abcess requires rapid diagnosis and treatment as its course can be fatal.
We present the case of a 52- year old male, with diabetes and hypertension, admitted for shortness of breath and fever in the past two months.
Clinical examination revealed respiratory distress, tachypnea, diastolic murmur on the left sternal border. Baseline laboratory investigations showed elevated inflammation markers, leukocytosis and thrombocytosis. Enterococcus faecalis was isolated from the hemocultures.
Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a dilated left ventricle (LV), with preserved LV ejection fraction, with severe aortic regurgitation due to valve destruction. A large (11mm diameter) vegetation-like structure attached to the ventricular side of the right coronary cusp, protruding into the left ventricular outflow tract was identified. Further evaluation by transoesopahgeal echocardiography did not identify other lesions, except for secondary moderate mitral regurgitation, with intact mitral leaflets. Dual antibiotic therapy with Ampicilin and Gentamycin was initiated. Surgery was planned after infection control.
The first three days were uneventful, with rapid resolution of fever and inflammatory markers, but on the fourth day, the patient developed severe abdominal pain, with its focal point in the left hypochondrium. Contrast abdominal CT was performed and large multiple subcapsular lesions were identified. These findings, correlated with the symptomatology, suggested embolic splenic abcess and infarction.
The patient successfully underwent laparoscopic splenectomy, but soon after he developed sepsis with respiratory failure and neurological deterioration (with normal CT scan) and was admitted to the intensive care unit, where he was intubated and mechanically ventilated.
Consensus after discussions between cardiology, cardiac surgery and neurology services was to immediately replace the aortic valve, given the inability to otherwise control the infection. Intraoperative images were consistent with perforation of the right coronary cusp.
During hospitalization in the ICU following cardiac surgery, the patient was extubated and his neurological function markedly improved. Repeated TTE and TEE showed normal prosthetic valve function and resolution of mitral regurgitation. The patient continued to improve clinically until his discharge.

Conclusions
We presented a case of a rare pathogenic entity- splenic abscess and infarction- due to systemic embolization from infective aortic valve endocarditis. Multidisciplinary teamwork was required between cardiologist, intensive care specialist, neurologist, infectionist, general surgeon and cardiac surgeon. Splenectomy was performed before valve replacement, a treatment-course characteristic in the occurrence of these rare cases.
P1307 An echocardiographic observation over the disappearing process of the prosthetic valve thrombus caused by the inflammatory hypercoagulability; a case report
Authors: Suzuki S , Takeuchi Y , Hiramatsu N , Tsuneyoshi H , Shimada T 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Background
Whenever fever and inflammatory reaction continue for a while in the patients with a prosthetic valve, than usual, we must keep infective endocarditis in mind. On the other hand, inflammation and thrombosis are well known to coexist often. There are several reports of thrombotic valves associated with inflammation-activated hypercoagulability. Furthermore, C-reactive protein (CRP) has been reported to imply an increased risk of thrombus especially in the presence of an injury on the prosthetic valve.

Case report
We report a case of a 70-year-old male with a leaflet thrombus on the bioprosthetic aortic valve. He suffered from fever, and symptoms of heart failure and was hospitalized for treatment. Blood tests presented that white blood cell count was 4900/μL (neutrophil 81.1%) and CRP 10.82 mg/dL. Infectious endocarditis (IE) was suspected. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was per-formed, however, vegetation and abscess were not found. Noteworthily, the bioprosthetic valve leaflet on the right coronary cusp showed thickening and opening dysfunction (Figure A, parasternal short axis). Mean pressure gradient (mPG) through the aortic valve was 15mmHg and peak velocity (Vmax) 2.7m/s. Blood culture was negative, and his body temperature and CRP were improved by empirical antibiotic administration. The anticoagulation therapy with warfarin was started, he was discharged from the hospital and followed up in the outpatient clinic. TTE after the initiation of anticoagulation therapy, did not reveal any more dysfunction on the bioprosthetic valve (mPG: 9mmHg, Vmax: 2.2m/s) (Figure B, parasternal short axis). The diagnostic and therapeutic process of this case implied success. The opening-dysfunction of prosthetic valve leaflets was reversible and therefore, we concluded that the thickening of the prosthetic valve could be attributed to thrombus adhesion. Computed Tomography (CT) was not performed because he suffered from chronic kidney disease.

Conclusion
Surely, CT is very useful for the evaluation of thrombotic valves in the patients in whom it is permissible to use contrast agent. However, we could successfully evaluate the recovery process of leaflet thrombosis by echocardiography because of a difficult reason of CT use in this case. The prolongation of inflammatory reaction in the patients with a prosthetic valve should keep IE in mind in everyday life. Even if the findings of bacterial infection are obscure, it is more and more important to observe carefully the change of leaflets, whenever an open-dysfunction and a thrombus adhesion of the prosthetic valves exist.
Abstract P1307 Figure.
P1317 Very late onset of platypnoea orthodeoxia syndrome as first clinical scenario of patent foramen ovale
Authors: Binno S M , Moderato L , Pastorini G , Matrone B , Aschieri D , Moccia L , Magri P , Franco C , Villani G Q 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

We report a case of a 83-year-old female, who had an admission for dyspnea. Laboratory showed D-dimer 1000 ng/ml, haemoglobin 12.4 mg/dL, CPR 0.08mg/dl whereas on Arterial Blood Gas test she had hypoxia with respiratory alkalosis.
In view of suspected pulmonary embolism, she underwent Thoracic Computed Tomography scan that excluded it.
During the stay the patient seemed more symptomatic while in standing position(with SpO2s 89% while supine plunging to 50% while standing): ABGs were performed both standing (reservoir 15 l/min pH 7.50, pO2 37.2 mmHg, pCO2 37.1 mmHg, HCO3 28.9 mmol/l) and recumbent position (reservoir 15 l/min pH 7.47, pO2 65.5 mmHg, pCO2 35.1 mmHg, HCO3 25.6 mmol), showing a difference of 28 mmHg.
Subsequently the patient underwent v/p pulmonary scintigraphy: no signs of pulmonary embolism though it revealed a multiple focus of capitation Tc-99m macro aggregated albumin in brain, thyroid and kidneys (IMG top), compatible for veno-arterial shunt.
Trans-esophageal echocardiography (TOE) revealed a massive stretched patent foramen ovale (PFO) with continuous right-to-left shunting through the atria. The bubble test (IMG bottom) confirmed the presence of patency along with sudden passage of microbubbles through the foramen. Qp/Qs = 0.8, due to volume overload in the left atrium from the right atrium. The imaging along with clinical scenario confirmed the suspected diagnosis of platypnea-orthodeoxia, finding the patent foramen ovale as the anatomical cause.
Platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome is a clinical condition characterized by dyspnea. Typically blood oxygen saturation declines with standing position while it resolves with recumbent.
The classification entails 3 groups: intracardiac shunting (most common presentation), pulmonary shunting, ventilation-perfusion mismatch.
Presence of multiple focus of albumin macroaggregates outside the lungs in v/p scintigraphy examination is suggestive for veno-arteriuous shunt: without shunt, normally all the albumin aggregates are hampered in the lungs’ field.
Images in bottom are taken in sequence from a single acquisition during the TOE, in one single cardiac beat. Here is depicted the evidence of the PFO, the influx of bubbles in the right atrium and the instantaneous and massive shunt of the bubbles across the interatrial septum, in the left atrium.
Usually the diagnosis is performed within 55 years old: it is interesting how late the diagnosis occurred in this patient with such resounding clinical manifestation.

Top
Scintigraphy with ventilation and perfusion lung scan sequences. Next, scintigraphy with capitation of Tc-99m macro aggregated albumin in brain, thyroid and kidneys.
Bottom, Transesophageal echocardiogram: images taken within the same heart beat proving right-to-left passage of bubble across the septum.
Abstract P1317 Figure. Scintigraphy and Transesophageal echo
P1330 A rare coronary anomaly in the adult: an extremely large arteriovenous fistula
Authors: Garcia Bras P , Cacela D , Moura Branco L , Ramos R , Vaz Ferreira V , Castelo A , Branco Mano T , Ilhao Moreira R , Ferreira R C 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

Introduction
Arteriovenous coronary fistulae are a rare coronary anomaly, which can be congenital or acquired. They can be diagnosed in older adults with heart failure symptoms, atherosclerosis or cardiac arrhythmias.
The authors report the case of an adult patient with an extremely large coronary artery fistula of the left main coronary artery (LMCA).

Clinical case
A 57-year-old caucasian male with known background of arterial hypertension, obesity, pulmonary emphysema and bronchiectasis presented to a Cardiology outpatient appointment with symptoms of congestive heart failure and new-onset atrial fibrillation.
A transthoracic echocardiogram was performed which revealed a possible coronary fistula with multiple rosary-like folds between the LMCA and the coronary sinus. Other echocardiographic findings were left ventricular and biatrial enlargement with biventricular systolic dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction 44%) and a GLS of -7.8% as well as mild pericardial effusion.
The patient was referred to our hospital for further diagnostic work-up and clarification of the coronary anatomy.
A cardiac computed tomography (CT) scan was done which showed ectasia and calcification of the LMCA, left anterior descending and circumflex arteries and a large caliber tortuous coronary fistula between the LMCA, the right atrium and the coronary sinus comprised of multiple folds covering from the pulmonary artery to the left atrium.
A coronary artery angiography was also performed, which confirmed the detailed anatomy and dimensions of the coronary fistula.
Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging revealed dilation of both left and right cardiac chambers with no significant shunt (QP/QS = 1)
The patient was started on heart failure medical therapy and was referred to the Cardiac Surgery Department and is currently asymptomatic awaiting for surgical correction of the coronary fistula.
Abstract P1330 Figure. CT scan: large caliber coronary fistula
P1332 Breaking the dichotomy of myocardial infarction and stress cardiomyopathy
Authors: Jimenez Mendez C , Cecconi A , Vera A , De La Cuerda F , Gonzalez Bartol E , Benedicto A , Rojas A , Diego G , Martinez Vives P , Dominguez L , Bastante T , Oliveira M J , Caballero P , Jimenez-Borreguero J , Alfonso F 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

INTRODUCTION
An 83-year-old woman with a past medical history of hypertension, dyslipidaemia and recent diagnosis of disseminated breast cancer was admitted at Emergency department for acute heart failure. She complained about short chest pain episodes on previous days, the ECG showed new T negative waves on precordial leads and high sensitive troponin serum levels were modestly increased (TropT 1200ng/l). Echocardiographic assessment documented moderate left ventricular dysfunction (LVEF 40%) with apical and midventricular dyskinesia associated with hypercontractility off basal segments.
The following day the patient underwent a coronary angiography that showed an occlusion in the distal segment of a large obtuse marginal branch (Panel A) with no other significant stenosis in the remaining vessels. Ventriculography showed a typical apical ballooning pattern (Panel B). Despite the occluded coronary artery was reaching the apex, the myocardial wall motion abnormalities extended beyond the ischemic territory. Therefore, a cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) was performed a few days later in order to clarify the diagnosis.
CMR confirmed the mid LVEF dysfunction with apical dyskinesia and the T2 weighted spin echo images showed myocardial oedema in all the apical segments (Panel C). Remarkably, a subedocardial late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) restricted to the apical segment of the inferolateral wall was detected, being consistent with the ischaemic territory of the occluded obtuse marginal branch (Panel D). These findings supported the concomitant diagnosis of an apical stress cardiomyopathy and an acute inferolateral myocardial infarction. The patient was successfully discharged one week later with a normal LVEF and no signs of congestion.

DISCUSSION
Apical ballooning in the scenario of an acute coronary syndrome may be secondary to both an acute coronary artery occlusion or to stress cardiomyopathy. Cardiac MR has a key role to resolve the differential diagnosis of these two aetiologies, since ischemia typically produces a subendocardial late gadolinium enhancement pattern and stress cardiomyopathy shows an apical oedema without coronary stenosis or extending beyond a localized ischemic territory. Our case is astonishing because in the clinical practice these two diagnoses frequently excludes each other, but as demonstrated in our case, the differential diagnosis between myocardial infarction and stress cardiomyopathy is not a proper dichotomy.
Abstract P1332 Figure
P1349 POCUS by general and family physician - advancing physical examination
Authors: Dos Santos J , Fernandes P , Rocha Goncalves F , Pereira Rodrigues P , Ribeiro J , Goncalves A 
Published: January 2020

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Alongside with the development of hand held equipment, echo is becoming more accessible to nontraditional settings. General and family medicine (GPs) are at the forefront of any health system, but the use of cardiac echo by GPs is still unexplored. PURPOSE: This study aims to evaluate the accuracy of echocardiography assessment performed as an extension of the physical exam by GPs. METHODS: Two GPs underwent standard echocardiography training for 6 months. Subsequently, patients with diabetes or arterial hypertension were submitted to an echocardiogram performed by their GPs using a pocket ultrasound. Views obtained (with and without color Doppler) were parasternal long and short axis, apical and subcostal, with measurements of the posterior wall (PW), interventricular septum (IVS), left ventricle (LV), left atrium (LA), aorta and inferior vena cava (IVC). Studies were reviewed at the workstation and measured by two experts who classified the exams according to the image quality. RESULTS: Sixty echocardiograms were analyzed (mean age of 61y, 42% females and 58% males). In 50% the image quality was considered sufficient, 42% considered good and 8% considered bad. There were statistically significant differences between the GPs and expert measurements on the sinus of Valsalva (30.3 ± 3 to 28.8 ± 3.1mm, p = 0.001), LV in systole (p &lt; 0.001, 28[24,31] for 31[29,34]mm), IVS (p = 0.001, 10.9 ± 1.7 for 10.1 ± 1.5mm), PW (p = 0.018, 8.7 ± 1.1 to 9.2 ± 1.6mm) and TAPSE (p = 0.021, 20.9 ± 2.3 to 20.1 ± 2.7mm). There were no significate differences in the measurements of the ascending aorta, LA, LV in diastole and IVC. Agreement between the GPs and the experts was moderate for the evaluation of LVH (k = 0.48). The concordance was substantial for evaluation of LV function (k = 0.66) and excellent for evaluation of pericardial effusion (k = 1) and right ventricular function (k = 1). Concordance was excellent for mitral insufficiency (k = 0.83) and substantial for aortic insufficiency (k = 0.68) and tricuspid insufficiency (k = 0.61). A case of mitral stenosis was identified by both. GPs signalized a case of mild aortic stenosis that the expert did not consider. CONCLUSION: GPs trained in echocardiography, using pocket ultrasound, can obtain cardiac images with sufficient quality for interpretation by experts in the majority of cases. In this study, differences in dimensions might be explained by interobserver variability and/or by the performance of measurements in different environments, mobile vs workstation. Overall the differences were minor and clinically meaningless.