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American Family Physician May 2012Infectious endocarditis results from bacterial or fungal infection of the endocardial surface of the heart and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.... (Review)
Review
Infectious endocarditis results from bacterial or fungal infection of the endocardial surface of the heart and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Risk factors include the presence of a prosthetic heart valve, structural or congenital heart disease, intravenous drug use, and a recent history of invasive procedures. Endocarditis should be suspected in patients with unexplained fevers, night sweats, or signs of systemic illness. Diagnosis is made using the Duke criteria, which include clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic findings. Antibiotic treatment of infectious endocarditis depends on whether the involved valve is native or prosthetic, as well as the causative microorganism and its antibiotic susceptibilities. Common blood culture isolates include Staphylococcus aureus, viridans Streptococcus, enterococci, and coagulase-negative staphylococci. Valvular structural and functional integrity may be adversely affected in infectious endocarditis, and surgical consultation is warranted in patients with aggressive or persistent infections, emboli, and valvular compromise or rupture. After completion of antibiotic therapy, patients should be educated about the importance of daily dental hygiene, regular visits to the dentist, and the need for antibiotic prophylaxis before certain procedures.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antibiotic Prophylaxis; Endocarditis, Bacterial; Family Practice; Health Status; Heart Valve Prosthesis; Humans; Primary Health Care; Risk Factors; Staphylococcal Infections; Streptococcal Infections; United States
PubMed: 22612050
DOI: No ID Found -
Biomaterials Science Apr 2024The sole effective treatment for most patients with heart valve disease is valve replacement by implantation of mechanical or biological prostheses. However, mechanical...
The sole effective treatment for most patients with heart valve disease is valve replacement by implantation of mechanical or biological prostheses. However, mechanical valves represent high risk of thromboembolism, and biological prostheses are prone to early degeneration. In this work, we aim to determine the potential of novel environmentally-friendly non-isocyanate polyurethanes (NIPUs) for manufacturing synthetic prosthetic heart valves. Polyhydroxyurethane (PHU) NIPUs are synthesized an isocyanate-free route, tested , and used to produce aortic valves. PHU elastomers reinforced with a polyester mesh show mechanical properties similar to native valve leaflets. These NIPUs do not cause hemolysis. Interestingly, both platelet adhesion and contact activation-induced coagulation are strongly reduced on NIPU surfaces, indicating low thrombogenicity. Fibroblasts and endothelial cells maintain normal growth and shape after indirect contact with NIPUs. Fluid-structure interaction (FSI) allows modeling of the ideal valve design, with minimal shear stress on the leaflets. Injection-molded valves are tested in a pulse duplicator and show ISO-compliant hydrodynamic performance, comparable to clinically-used bioprostheses. Poly(tetrahydrofuran) (PTHF)-NIPU patches do not show any evidence of calcification over a period of 8 weeks. NIPUs are promising sustainable biomaterials for the manufacturing of improved prosthetic valves with low thrombogenicity.
Topics: Humans; Polyurethanes; Isocyanates; Endothelial Cells; Heart Valve Prosthesis; Aortic Valve
PubMed: 38487997
DOI: 10.1039/d3bm01911j -
Journal of Cardiology Feb 2019Prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) represents a rare and serious complication of valve replacement associated with high morbidity and mortality, which significantly... (Review)
Review
Prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) represents a rare and serious complication of valve replacement associated with high morbidity and mortality, which significantly differs from native valve endocarditis (NVE). There are two major problems: establishing diagnosis and treatment of PVE. Diagnosis in PVE is challenging and often requires several imaging methods besides standard microbiological analyzes. Transesophageal echocardiographic examination remains the widely used imaging technique in PVE diagnosis, but additional techniques such as computed tomography (CT) and F-fluodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT are often necessary. Persistent fever, embolic complications, valve dehiscence, intracardial abscess, heart failure, as well as staphylococcal and fungal PVE require surgical treatment to avoid lethal outcome. The introduction of transcatheter valve implantations and devices significantly complicated the approach - diagnostic and therapeutic to PVE patients. Despite constantly increasing knowledge regarding pathogenesis and treatment of PVE, the optimal therapy remains a matter of debate. Additional studies are necessary to define therapeutic strategies for this potentially fatal complication.
Topics: Aged; Echocardiography, Transesophageal; Endocarditis; Female; Heart Valve Prosthesis; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Prosthesis-Related Infections; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 30389305
DOI: 10.1016/j.jjcc.2018.08.007 -
Expert Review of Medical Devices Nov 2018Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has emerged as an effective minimally-invasive alternative to surgical valve replacement in medium- to high-risk, elderly... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has emerged as an effective minimally-invasive alternative to surgical valve replacement in medium- to high-risk, elderly patients with calcific aortic valve disease and severe aortic stenosis. The rapid growth of the TAVR devices market has led to a high variety of designs, each aiming to address persistent complications associated with TAVR valves that may hamper the anticipated expansion of TAVR utility.
AREAS COVERED
Here we outline the challenges and the technical demands that TAVR devices need to address for achieving the desired expansion, and review design aspects of selected, latest generation, TAVR valves of both clinically-used and investigational devices. We further review in detail some of the up-to-date modeling and testing approaches for TAVR, both computationally and experimentally, and additionally discuss those as complementary approaches to the ISO 5840-3 standard. A comprehensive survey of the prior and up-to-date literature was conducted to cover the most pertaining issues and challenges that TAVR technology faces.
EXPERT COMMENTARY
The expansion of TAVR over SAVR and to new indications seems more promising than ever. With new challenges to come, new TAV design approaches, and materials used, are expected to emerge, and novel testing/modeling methods to be developed.
Topics: Animals; Aortic Valve; Aortic Valve Stenosis; Calcinosis; Heart Valve Prosthesis; Humans; Off-Label Use; Polymers; Prosthesis Design; Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
PubMed: 30318937
DOI: 10.1080/17434440.2018.1536427 -
Annals of Cardiac Anaesthesia 2022Worldwide, about 13% of the 200,000 annual recipients of prosthetic heart valves (PHV) present for various surgical procedures. Also, more and more females are opting... (Review)
Review
Worldwide, about 13% of the 200,000 annual recipients of prosthetic heart valves (PHV) present for various surgical procedures. Also, more and more females are opting for pregnancies after having PHV. All patients with PHV present unique challenges for the anesthesiologists, surgeons and obstetricians (in case of deliveries). They have to deal with the perioperative management of anticoagulation and a host of other issues involved. We reviewed the English language medical literature relevant to the different aspects of perioperative management of patients with PHV, particularly the guidelines of reputed societies that appeared in the last 20 years. Regression of cardiac pathophysiology following valve replacement is variable both in extent and timeline. The extent to which reverse remodeling occurs depends on the perioperative status of the heart. We discussed the perioperative assessment of patients with PHV, including focused history and relevant investigations with the inferences drawn. We examined the need for prophylaxis against infective endocarditis and management of anticoagulation in such patients in the perioperative period and the guidelines of reputed societies. We also reviewed the conduct of anesthesia, including general and regional anesthesia (neuraxial and peripheral nerve/plexus blocks) in such patients. Finally, we discussed the management of delivery in this group of high-risk patients. From the discussion of different aspects of perioperative management of patients with PHV, we hope to guide in formulating the comprehensive plan of management of safe anesthesia in such patients.
Topics: Anticoagulants; Endocarditis; Female; Heart Valve Prosthesis; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; Heart Valves; Humans; Pregnancy
PubMed: 35799551
DOI: 10.4103/aca.aca_109_21 -
European Review For Medical and... Jun 2013The etiopathogenesis of prosthetic heart valve thrombosis (PHVT) is multifactorial. Since the relationship between PHVT and endothelial function is never studied, we...
AIM
The etiopathogenesis of prosthetic heart valve thrombosis (PHVT) is multifactorial. Since the relationship between PHVT and endothelial function is never studied, we aimed to analyze the role of endothelial function in patients with PHVT.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
Twenty-two patients with PHVT (14 female, 31.8% with atrial fibrillation, mean age 46.0±12.2) and 22 controls with prosthetic heart valves (17 female, 36.4% with atrial fibrillation, mean age 45.7±11.5) were prospectively evaluated. Two groups had similar demographic and echocardiographic characteristics. Endothelial function was evaluated in all patients by the non-invasive measurement of flow mediated dilatation (FMD) of brachial artery. High-resolution ultrasound was used to measure brachial artery diameter at rest, during reactive hyperemia (endothelium-dependent, FMD), and following sublingual administration of nitroglycerin (endothelium-independent, nitroglycerin-mediated vasodilatation, NMD).
RESULTS
Functional capacity at presentation determined as mean NYHA functional capacity class was worse in patients with PHVT than in control group (2.1±0.6 vs. 1.3±0.6; p < 0.0001). FMD was significantly reduced in patients with PHVT compared with control group (4.01±1.52 vs. 8.48±3.37; p < 0.0001). NMD did not differ between two groups (11.77±2.30 vs. 13.38±3.50; p = 0.08). FMD level of < 5.65 predicted prosthetic valve thrombosis with an 82% sensitivity and 77% specificity (area under the curve = 0.888, p < 0.0001).
CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated the endothelial dysfunction in patients with PHVT compared with well-matched control group. In this study, we found that patients with PHVT have endothelial dysfunction which might contribute to the development of thrombosis.
Topics: Brachial Artery; Case-Control Studies; Coronary Thrombosis; Endothelium, Vascular; Female; Heart Valve Prosthesis; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Ultrasonography; Vasodilation
PubMed: 23832724
DOI: No ID Found -
Internal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan) Feb 2024
Topics: Humans; Candida; Endocarditis, Bacterial; Heart Valve Prosthesis; Endocarditis; Candidiasis; Antifungal Agents
PubMed: 37316271
DOI: 10.2169/internalmedicine.1987-23 -
Annals of Biomedical Engineering Feb 2017Transcatheter aortic valves (TAVs) represent the latest advances in prosthetic heart valve technology. TAVs are truly transformational as they bring the benefit of heart... (Review)
Review
Transcatheter aortic valves (TAVs) represent the latest advances in prosthetic heart valve technology. TAVs are truly transformational as they bring the benefit of heart valve replacement to patients that would otherwise not be operated on. Nevertheless, like any new device technology, the high expectations are dampened with growing concerns arising from frequent complications that develop in patients, indicating that the technology is far from being mature. Some of the most common complications that plague current TAV devices include malpositioning, crimp-induced leaflet damage, paravalvular leak, thrombosis, conduction abnormalities and prosthesis-patient mismatch. In this article, we provide an in-depth review of the current state-of-the-art pertaining the mechanics of TAVs while highlighting various studies guiding clinicians, regulatory agencies, and next-generation device designers.
Topics: Animals; Heart Valve Prosthesis; Humans; Prosthesis Design; Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
PubMed: 27873034
DOI: 10.1007/s10439-016-1759-3 -
Expert Review of Medical Devices Nov 2012Present prosthetic heart valves, while hemodynamically effective, remain limited by progressive structural deterioration of tissue valves or the burden of chronic... (Review)
Review
Present prosthetic heart valves, while hemodynamically effective, remain limited by progressive structural deterioration of tissue valves or the burden of chronic anticoagulation for mechanical valves. An idealized valve prosthesis would eliminate these limitations. Polymeric heart valves (PHVs), fabricated from advanced polymeric materials, offer the potential of durability and hemocompatibility. Unfortunately, the clinical realization of PHVs to date has been hampered by findings of in vivo calcification, degradation and thrombosis. Here, the authors review the evolution of PHVs, evaluate the state of the art of this technology and propose a pathway towards clinical reality. In particular, the authors discuss the development of a novel aortic PHV that may be deployed via transcatheter implantation, as well as its optimization via device thrombogenicity emulation.
Topics: Aortic Valve; Cardiac Catheterization; Heart Valve Prosthesis; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; Humans; Polymers; Prosthesis Design
PubMed: 23249154
DOI: 10.1586/erd.12.51 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) May 2023: To evaluate the early and long-term results of surgical treatment of isolated mitral native and prosthetic valve infective endocarditis. : All patients undergoing...
: To evaluate the early and long-term results of surgical treatment of isolated mitral native and prosthetic valve infective endocarditis. : All patients undergoing mitral valve repair or replacement for infective endocarditis at our institution between January 2001 and December 2021 were included in the study. The preoperative and postoperative characteristics and mortality of patients were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 130 patients, 85 males and 45 females, with a median age of 61 ± 14 years, underwent surgery for isolated mitral valve endocarditis during the study period. There were 111 (85%) native and 19 (15%) prosthetic valve endocarditis cases. Fifty-one (39%) patients died during the follow-up, and the overall mean patient survival time was 11.8 ± 0.9 years. The mean survival time was better in patients with mitral native valve endocarditis compared to patients with prosthetic valve endocarditis (12.3 ± 0.9 years vs. 8 ± 1.4 years; = 0.1), but the difference was not statistically significant. Patients who underwent mitral valve repair had a better survival rate compared to patients who had mitral valve replacement (14.8 ± 1.6 vs. 11.3 ± 1 years; = 0.06); however, the difference was not statistically significant. Patients who underwent mitral valve replacement with a mechanical prosthesis had a significantly better survival rate compared to patients who received a biological prosthesis (15.6 ± 1.6 vs. 8.2 ± 0.8 years; < 0.001). Patients aged ≤60 years had significantly better survival compared to patients aged >60 years (17.1 ± 1.1 vs. 8.2 ± 0.9; < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that the patient's age >60 years at the time of surgery was an independent risk factor for mortality, while mitral valve repair was a protective factor. Eight (7%) patients required reintervention. Freedom from reintervention was significantly higher in patients with mitral native valve endocarditis compared to patients with prosthetic valve endocarditis (19.3 ± 0.5 vs. 11.5 ± 1.7 years; = 0.04). : Surgery for mitral valve endocarditis is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. The patient's age at the time of surgery represents an independent risk factor for mortality. Mitral valve repair should be the preferred choice whenever possible in suitable patients affected by infective endocarditis.
Topics: Male; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Aged; Endocarditis, Bacterial; Mitral Valve; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Outcome; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; Heart Valve Prosthesis; Endocarditis
PubMed: 37374264
DOI: 10.3390/medicina59061060