The Duke Criteria have shaped the way infectious endocarditis (IE) is diagnosed in the last 30 years. This study aims to evaluate their current validity and importance in the diagnostic of IE. A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 163 consecutive patients who presented at the University Hospital in Ulm (Germany) with clinical suspicion of IE between 2009 and 2019. With patients\' medical records we differentiated between definitive endocarditis (DIE), possible endocarditis (PIE) and rejected endocarditis (RIE) and assessed the validity of the Duke Criteria in comparison to the final discharge diagnosis. We then tried to identify new potential parameters as an addition to the current valid Duke Criteria. The validity of the Duke Criteria improves with the length of hospitalization (especially cardiac imaging criterion, RIE 33.3%, PIE 31.6% and DIE 41.9%, p = 0.622 at admission and RIE 53.3%, PIE 68.4%, DIE 92.2%, p < 0.001 at discharge). At admission, overall sensitivity and specificity were respectively 29.5 and 91.2% in the DIE group. At discharge, sensitivity in the DIE group rose to 77.5% and specificity decreased to 79.4%. Of all screened metrics, microhematuria (p = 0.124), leukocyturia, (p = 0.075), younger age (p = 0.042) and the lack of rheumatoid disease (p = 0.011) showed a difference in incidence (p < 0.2) when comparing DIE and RIE group. In multivariate regression only microhematuria qualified as a potential sixth minor criterion at admission. Even with the latest technological breakthroughs our findings suggest that the Duke Criteria continue to hold value in the accurate assessment of IE. Future efforts must shorten the time until diagnosis.

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BACKGROUND: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a life-threatening infection with an annual mortality of 40%. Embolic events reported in up to 80% of patients. Vegetations of > 10 mm size are associated with increased embolic events and poor prognosis. There is a paucity of literature on the association of multiple vegetations with outcome.
OBJECTIVE: To study the echocardiographic (ECHO) features and outcomes associated with the presence of multiple vegetations.
METHODS: In this retrospective, single-center, cohort study patients diagnosed with IE were recruited from June 2017 to June 2019. A total of 84 patients were diagnosed to have IE, of whom 67 with vegetation were identified. Baseline demographic, clinical, laboratory, and ECHO parameters were reviewed. Outcomes that were studied included recurrent admission, embolic phenomenon, and mortality.
RESULTS: Twenty-three (34%) patients were noted to have multiple vegetations, 13 (56.5%) were male and 10 (43.5%) were female. The mean age of these patients was 50. Eight (35%) had a prior episode of IE. ECHO features of moderate to severe valvular regurgitation [odds ratio (OR) = 4], presence of pacemaker lead (OR = 4.8), impaired left ventricle (LV) relaxation (OR = 4), and elevated pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) (OR = 2.2) are associated with higher odds of multiple vegetations. Of these moderate to severe valvular regurgitation (P = 0.028), pacemaker lead (P = 0.039) and impaired relaxation (P = 0.028) were statistically significant. These patients were noted to have an increased association of recurrent admissions (OR = 3.6), recurrent bacteremia (OR = 2.4), embolic phenomenon (OR = 2.5), intensive care unit stay (OR = 2.8), hypotension (OR = 2.1), surgical intervention (OR = 2.8) and device removal (OR = 4.8). Of this device removal (P = 0.039) and recurrent admissions (P = 0.017) were statistically significant.
CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the associations of ECHO predictors and outcomes in patients with IE having multiple vegetations. ECHO features of moderate to severe regurgitation, presence of pacemaker lead, impaired LV relaxation, and elevated PASP and outcomes including recurrent admissions and device removal were found to be associated with multiple vegetations.

Infective endocarditis (IE) remains a serious disease that is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and despite the significant advances that have been made in understanding the disease process in past decades, its incidence appears to be on the rise recently. Endocarditis in children is no longer a rare occurrence. This appeared to be related to a combination of the improved survival of children with congenital heart diseases (CHDs), increase use of intracardiac protheses, and catheter-related interventions. The American Heart Association (AHA) 2007 guidelines reduced the recommendations for use of prophylactic antibiotics in those with CHDs which occurred despite the noticeable increase in endocarditis incidence around that time. In general, the recommendations for managing children with IE are derived from the adults\' guidelines, and the evidence-base is lacking in many clinical scenarios. Understanding the epidemiology, clinical presentations, microbiology, and outcomes of different management strategies for endocarditis is needed to have a clear and optimal plan for these children. In the current narrative review, we discuss IE in the pediatric population in terms of etiology, predisposing factors, and different treatment strategies for this unique population.

Most infectious endocarditis patients can be managed medically. However, non-responders to antibiotics and ongoing sequelae such as septic emboli, may require mechanical interventions. AngioVac (Angiodynamics, Latham, NY, USA) is a percutaneous aspiration device used for removal of thrombi, emboli, masses, and vegetations. Main drawbacks are the requirement for a perfusionist, two large-bore accesses, and meticulous de-airing. These drawbacks make the procedure more time-consuming and possibly increase the risk of complications. AlphaVac (Angiodynamics) omits the motor element, thereby overcoming several of the limitations. In the current report, we describe two cases of percutaneous aspiration of tricuspid valve vegetations using AlphaVac.
UNASSIGNED: To consider manual percutaneous aspiration of infective valvular vegetations using the AlphaVac cannula in case of insufficient response to antibiotics or for prevention of emboli.

UNASSIGNED: Right-sided infective endocarditis (IE) in non-intravenous drug users is a rare finding. IE of the tricuspid valve is considered an important but uncommon complication in patients with a recent history of obstetric and gynecological procedures.
UNASSIGNED: We report a case of a 28-year-old female with IE of the tricuspid valve with a prior history of dilatation and curettage. The echocardiography revealed two mobile vegetation in the septal leaflet of the tricuspid valve with severe eccentric tricuspid regurgitation. Blood culture was positive for Staphylococcus aureus. The patient was started on intravenous (i.v.) antibiotics with supportive treatments and improved over the days.
UNASSIGNED: Infection can get access to the venous system via pelvic veins after the septic obstetric and gynecological procedure and subsequently to the right side of the heart. Different studies have highlighted the role of prophylactic antibiotics in significantly reducing post-abortal infections. In our patient, the disease was diagnosed on the basis of clinical, echocardiographic, and blood culture findings, and the patient responded well to i.v. antibiotics and supportive care under close monitoring in the coronary care unit.
UNASSIGNED: It is important for healthcare providers to be aware of the risk factors and symptoms associated with right-sided IE for early diagnosis and treatment. Appropriate antibiotic prophylaxis and adherence to sterile techniques can help to prevent IE.

BACKGROUND: Patients with infectious complications related to the presence of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) constitute a heterogeneous group, ranging from local pocket infection (PI) to lead-related infectious endocarditis (LRIE) infection spreading along the leads to the endocardium. The detection of isolated LRIE and the assessment of the spread of infection in a patient with PI is often difficult and requires complex imaging and microbiological tests. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the usefulness of new simple hematological parameters in detecting infectious complications in patients with CIED, differentiating vegetation and vegetation-like masses, and assessing the extent of infections in patients with PI.
METHODS: A retrospective analysis of clinical data of 2909 patients (36.37% with CIED-related infections), undergoing transvenous lead extraction (TLE) procedures in three high-volume centres in the years 2006-2020, was conducted. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to assess the sensitivity and specificity of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), neutrophil-to-platelet ratio (NPR), and lymphocyte-to-platelet ratio (LPR) in the diagnosis of CIED infections, evaluate the spread of the infectious process in patients with PI and differentiate additional structures related to the presence of lead.
RESULTS: The values of NLR and NPR were significantly higher in infectious patients than non-infectious controls (3.07 vs. 2.59; p < 0.001, and 0.02 vs. 0.01; p = 0.008) and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.59; p < 0.001 and 0.56; p < 0.001, respectively. The high specificity of the new markers in detecting the infectious process was demonstrated: 72.82% for NLR (optimal cut-off value: 3.06) and 79.47% for NPR (optimal cut off value: 0.02). The values of NLR and NPR were significantly higher in patients with vegetations than in non-infectious patients with the presence of additional lead-related masses (3.37 vs. 2.61; p < 0.001 and 0.03 vs. 0.02; p = 0.008). The AUC of NLR and NPR for the prediction of vegetations was 0.65; p < 0.001 and 0.60; p < 0.001 with the highest specificity of NPR (82.78%) and an optimal cut-off value of 0.03. NLR and NPR were higher in patients with LRIE compared to isolated PI (4.11 vs. 2.56; p < 0.001 and 0.03 vs. 0.02; p < 0.001) and the ROC curve analysis for coexistence LRIE with PI showed the AUC for NLR: 0.57; p < 0.001 and AUC for NPR: 0.55; p = 0.001. High specificity in the detection of coexistence between PI and LRIE was demonstrated for NLR (87.33%), with an optimal cut-off value of 3.13.
CONCLUSIONS: Novel hematological markers (NLR and NPR) are characterized by high specificity in the initial diagnosis of CIED infections, with optimal cut-off values of 3.06 and 0.02. NLR is also useful in the assessment of the spread of infection in patients with PI, with a calculated optimal cut-off value of 3.13. NPR may be helpful in the differentiation of vegetation and vegetation-like masses with an optimal cut-off value of 0.03.

Lambl excrescences (LEs) were initially described in the mid-1800s during autopsies of human hearts, and their significance and biology have been debated ever since. LEs are typically found on aortic and pulmonary valve (semilunar) cusps. There is debate concerning whether LEs are a significant cause of thromboembolic events, or whether they are harmless growths. However, there have not been many reports discussing LEs, and fewer still have examined the prevalence and characteristics of LEs in healthy human hearts. Those who have examined LE prevalence have reported a very high incidence of LEs (85-90%). Herein, we examine LE prevalence and characteristics (size, location, number) in 403 healthy human hearts across all age groups. We find that the prevalence of LEs in healthy hearts is far lower than previously reported.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a well-described infectious disease, one with increased morbidity and mortality being the third or fourth most common life-threatening infection syndrome. Abiotrophia defectiva is a non-motile, catalase negative, gram-positive coccus in a chain, which can be isolated from the oral cavity, intestinal, and genitourinary tracts. IE due to this agent is rare and associated with heart valve destruction, congestive heart failure, and high embolisation rates, these being the major mortality causes. We present a case of IE due to this agent, complicated with a stroke, and splenic and renal infarction, with the need for aortic valve replacement. This article highlights the gaps of knowledge left by the rarity of this disease, which range from its diagnosis to its treatment, and what we need to mitigate such gaps, supported with a case description of a successful treatment of this infection.
CONCLUSIONS: Infective endocarditis due to Abiotrophia defectiva has usually an indolent course, but the embolisation potential is very high.The major causes of mortality with this species are congestive heart failure due to valve destruction and the presence of multiple emboli.Surgical intervention rates are high with Abiotrophia defectiva, reaching 50% of cases.

Fungal endocarditis is a rare but serious complication of fungemia. It is most commonly caused by Candida species. Risk factors include prosthetic heart valves, injection drug use, and indwelling central venous catheters. In comparison to bacterial endocarditis, fungal endocarditis is more commonly associated with arterial embolization, likely due to the larger size of vegetations. Unfortunately, diagnosis is often delayed, contributing to significant morbidity and mortality. Relapses are common, and extended treatment is often warranted. Antifungal agents and valve replacement are the recommended treatments. However, in-hospital mortality remains at 36%. For these reasons, it is critical to have a high index of suspicion and not delay appropriate therapy.