Usefulness of transesophageal echocardiography for diagnosis of infected transvenous permanent pacemakers

Multimodality imaging for the evaluation and management of patients with long-term (durable) left ventricular assist devices

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) are gaining increasing importance as therapeutic strategy in advanced heart failure (HF), not only as bridge to recovery or to transplant but also as destination therapy. Even though long-term LVADs are considered a precious resource to expand the treatment options and improve clinical outcome of these patients, these are limited by peri-operative and post-operative complications, such as device-related infections, haemocompatibility-related events, device mis-positioning, and right ventricular failure. For this reason, a precise pre-operative, peri-operative, and post-operative evaluation of these patients is crucial for the selection of LVAD candidates and the management LVAD recipients. The use of different imaging modalities offers important information to complete the study of patients with LVADs in each phase of their assessment, with peculiar advantages/disadvantages, ideal application, and reference parameters for each modality. This clinical consensus statement sought to guide the use of multimodality imaging for the evaluation of patients with advanced HF undergoing LVAD implantation.

Infective endocarditis

First described more than 350 years ago, infective endocarditis represents a global health concern characterised by infections affecting the native or prosthetic heart valves, the mural endocardium, a septal defect, or an indwelling cardiac device. Over recent decades, shifts in causation and epidemiology have been observed. Echocardiography remains pivotal in the diagnosis of infective endocarditis, with alternative imaging modalities gaining significance. Multidisciplinary management requiring expertise of cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, infectious disease specialists, microbiologists, radiologists and neurologists, is imperative. Current recommendations for clinical management often rely on observational studies, given the limited number of well conducted randomised controlled trials studying infective endocarditis due to the rarity of the disease. In this Seminar, we provide a comprehensive overview of optimal clinical practices in infective endocarditis, highlighting key aspects of pathophysiology, pathogens, diagnosis, management, prevention, and multidisciplinary approaches, providing updates on recent research findings and addressing remaining controversies in diagnostic accuracy, prevention strategies, and optimal treatment.

Multimodality Imaging Diagnosis in Infective Endocarditis

Imaging is an important tool in the diagnosis and management of infective endocarditis (IE). Echocardiography is an essential examination, especially in native valve endocarditis (NVE), but its diagnostic accuracy is reduced in prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE). The diagnostic ability is superior for transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE), but a negative test cannot exclude PVE. Both transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and TEE can provide normal or inconclusive findings in up to 30% of cases, especially in patients with prosthetic devices. New advanced non-invasive imaging tests are increasingly used in the diagnosis of IE. Nuclear medicine imaging techniques have demonstrated their superiority over TEE for the diagnosis of PVE and cardiac implantable electronic device infective endocarditis (CIED-IE). Cardiac computed tomography angiography imaging is useful in PVE cases with inconclusive TTE and TEE investigations and for the evaluation of paravalvular complications. In the present review, imaging tools are described with their values and limitations for improving diagnosis in NVE, PVE and CIED-IE. Current knowledge about multimodality imaging approaches in IE and imaging methods to assess the local and distant complications of IE is also reviewed. Furthermore, a potential diagnostic work-up for different clinical scenarios is described. However, further studies are essential for refining diagnostic and management approaches in infective endocarditis, addressing limitations and optimizing advanced imaging techniques across different clinical scenarios.

Risk of Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Infection in Patients with Bloodstream Infection: Microbiologic Effect in the Era of Positron Emission Tomography-Computed Tomography

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Bloodstream infection (BSI) in patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) is common and can prompt challenges in defining optimal management. We provide a contemporary narrative review of this topic and propose a pathogen-dependent clinical approach to patient management.

RECENT FINDINGS

BSI due to staphylococci, viridans group streptococci, and enterococci is associated with an increased risk of underlying CIED infection, while the risk of CIED infection due to other organisms is poorly defined. There is growing evidence that positron emission tomography-computed tomography may be helpful in some patients with BSI and underlying CIED. Twenty studies were included to examine the impact of microbiologic findings on the risk of CIED infection among patients with BSI. Diagnosis of CIED infection in patients with BSI without pocket findings is often difficult, necessitating the use of novel diagnostic tools to help guide the clinician in subsequent patient management.

Radionuclide Imaging of Infective Endocarditis

Infective endocarditis (IE) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Early diagnosis is crucial for adequate patient management. Due to difficulties in the diagnosis, a multidisciplinary discussion in addition to the integration of clinical signs, microbiology data, and imaging data is used. Imaging, including echocardiography, molecular imaging techniques, and coronary CT angiography (CTA) is central to detect infections involving heart valves and implanted cardiovascular devices, also allowing for early detection of septic emboli and metastatic. This article describes the main clinical application of white blood cell SPECT/CT and [¹⁸F]FDG-PET/CT and CTA in IE and infections associated with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices.

Cardiovascular positron emission tomography: established and emerging role in cardiovascular diseases

Cardiac positron emission tomography (PET) imaging has established themselves firmly as excellent and reliable functional imaging modalities in assessment of the spectrum of coronary artery disease. With the explosion of technology advances and the dream of flow quantification now a reality, the value of PET is now well realized. Cardiac PET has proved itself as precise imaging modality that provides functional imaging of the heart in addition to anatomical imaging. It has established itself as one of the best available techniques for evaluation of myocardial viability. Hybrid PET/computed tomography provides simultaneous integration of coronary anatomy and function with myocardial perfusion and metabolism, thereby improving characterization of the dysfunctional area and chronic coronary artery disease. The availability of quantitative myocardial blood flow evaluation with PET provides additional prognostic information and increases diagnostic accuracy in the management of patients with coronary artery disease. Hybrid imaging seems to hold immense potential in optimizing management of cardiovascular diseases and furthering clinical research.

Adherence to diagnostic and therapeutic practice guidelines for suspected cardiac implantable electronic device infections

BACKGROUND

Despite guidelines describing the optimal diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for patients with suspected cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infections, their management is often challenging.

AIMS

To describe our diagnostic and therapeutic practices for suspected CIED infection, and to compare them with European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) guidelines.

METHODS

Patients hospitalized in the tertiary care Nancy University Hospital for suspected CIED infection from 2014 to 2019 were included retrospectively. We applied the EHRA classification of CIED infection, and compared diagnostic and therapeutic management with the EHRA guidelines.

RESULTS

Among 184 patients (mean age 72.3±12.4 years), 137 had a proven infection of the lead (by transthoracic echocardiography/transoesophageal echocardiography, ¹⁸F-fluorodesoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography or positive culture of the lead) or an isolated pocket infection without proof of lead infection, and 47 had no proof of CIED infection. According to the EHRA classification, CIED infection was considered as definite in 145 patients and possible in 31 and was excluded in eight patients. Regarding recommended diagnostic procedures, blood cultures were performed in 90.8%, transthoracic echocardiography in 97.8%, transoesophageal echocardiography in 85.9%, ¹⁸F-fluorodesoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in 50.5% and imaging for embolisms in 78.3% of the patients. Compared with therapeutic recommendations for the 145 cases of definite CIED infection, device removal was performed in 96 patients (66.2%) and antibiotic therapy was prescribed in 130 (89.7%), with a duration equal to or longer than that recommended in 105 (72.4%) of the patients.

CONCLUSION

This study underlines the difficulties in following theoretical guidelines in daily practice, where both technical and human considerations interfere with their strict appliance.

Imaging of Cardiac Device-Related Infection

Cardiac devices are frequently used in different cardiovascular conditions for the purpose of morbidity or mortality prevention. These include cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) like permanent pacemakers and implantable cardiac defibrillators, ventricular assistance devices (VADs), left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) devices like the Watchman™, atrial and ventricular septal occluders like the Amplatzer™, among others. In the past years, there has been an increase in the development of these devices as a result of a rise in the number of indications for implantation, paired with the aging and more medically complex patient population. This has led to an increase in the incidence of cardiac device-related infections, one of the most feared and serious complications which is associated with significant morbidity, mortality and financial burden. Accurate diagnosis of cardiac device-related infections is essential given the management implications which often involve removal of the infected device, removal of other prosthetic material and long-term antimicrobial therapy. Clinical and laboratory data are useful diagnostic tools but multimodality imaging is often necessary. The recently published 2020 European Heart Rhythm Association International Consensus document, which is endorsed by many expert societies, has recommended the use of multimodality imaging for the diagnosis of CIED infections. (1) This allows better disease characterization by identifying abnormal fluid collections and guiding aspiration for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes (i.e. soft tissue ultrasound and computed tomography), evaluation for local extent of disease (i.e. transesophageal echocardiogram to evaluate for concomitant infective endocarditis), embolic manifestation of disease (i.e. computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging) and metabolic tissue characterization (positron emission tomography and tagged white blood cell scan). (2) In addition, computed tomography (CT) allows for pre-procedural planning which has shown to be associated with better procedural outcomes.

Follow the Lead: The Challenges of Cardiogenic Shock in Device-Related Infective Endocarditis

We present the challenging case of a young man with congenital heart disease who survived severe device-related infective endocarditis and new pulmonary hypertension. He required prolonged mechanical circulatory support and had multiple significant complications. His case posed a management dilemma that was successfully resolved by effective multidisciplinary, tertiary center care. (Level of Difficulty: Beginner.).

Clinical manifestations of device-related infective endocarditis in cardiac resynchronization therapy recipients

INTRODUCTION

The aim of the study was to analyse microbiological characteristics and clinical manifestations of cardiac device-related infective endocarditis (CDRIE) in cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) recipients, and to compare the diagnostic value of modified Duke (MDC) versus modified Duke lead criteria (MDLC; including to MDC local infection and pulmonary infection or embolism as major criteria).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study population comprised 765 consecutive CRT patients from a high-volume, tertiary care centre from 2002 to 2015. All patients were screened for CDRIE.

RESULTS

During a median follow-up of 1692 days (range: 457-3067) 5.36% of patients (n = 41) developed CDRIE, which was accompanied by CRT pocket infection in 17.1% (n = 7) and recurrent pulmonary infection or pulmonary embolism in 29.3% (n = 12). Fever was present in 95.1% of patients (n = 39), whereas blood cultures were positive in 65.9% (n = 27). Staphylococcus was the most prevalent pathogen in 59.3% (n = 16), Gram-negative bacteria in 25.9% (n = 7). Transoesophageal echocardiography showed intracardiac vegetations in 73.2% of patients (n = 30). Non-different pathogen types with the most common methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus were observed for early versus late CDRIE (endocarditis ≤ 6 vs. > 6 months from CRT or other device-related procedure). All 3 inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, white blood cells, procalcitonin) were normal in 4.9% of patients (n = 2). MDC versus MDLC indicated definite CDRIE in 48.8% versus 80.5%, respectively (p = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Fever is the most common symptom of CRT-related CDRIE, and transoesophageal echocardiography allows vegetations to be visualised in nearly 3/4 of patients with CDRIE. Although the most common pathogens were Staphylococci, Gram-negative bacteria accounted for a quarter of CDRIE. Modified Duke lead criteria proved superior to MDC.

High prevalence of anti-HEV antibodies among patients with immunosuppression and hepatic disorders in eastern Poland

INTRODUCTION

The incidence of hepatitis E virus (HEV) infections in Poland is largely unknown. This study aimed to describe seroprevalence of markers of HEV infection among patients with immunodeficiency of diverse etiology and patients with advanced chronic liver diseases.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Four hundred fifty patients were enrolled; among them, 180 persons were solid organ transplant recipients, 90 patients were HIV-infected and 180 persons had confirmed liver cirrhosis of different etiology. Serum anti-HEV-IgG, IgM antibodies and HEV-antigen were detected by ELISA (Wantai, China).

RESULTS

In the group of transplant recipients, serum anti-HEV-IgG antibodies were detected in 40.6%, IgM in 1.1% and HEV-Ag in 2.8% of subjects. In the HIV-infected population 37.7% had anti-HEV-IgG, 1.1% had anti-HEV-IgM and none had HEV-Ag. Among patients with advanced chronic liver diseases the highest prevalence of anti-HEV-IgG was recorded in alcohol-related liver cirrhosis (52.1%) (p = 0.049). In the population of all liver cirrhotics anti-HEV-IgG seroprevalence was 48.3%, anti-HEV-IgM seroprevalence was 5.0% and HEV-Ag seroprevalence was 1.7%. Older age and male gender were significant risk factors associated with increased anti-HEV-IgG prevalence, p = 0.0004 and p = 0.02, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In this large cohort a high seroprevalence of anti-HEV-IgG was detected in comparison to other European countries, with the highest rates in patients with alcoholic liver disease and in transplant recipients.

Multimodality Imaging in the Diagnostic Work-Up of Endocarditis and Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device (CIED) Infection

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a serious cardiac condition, which includes a wide range of clinical presentations, with varying degrees of severity. The diagnosis is multifactorial and a proper characterization of disease requires the identification of the primary site of infection (usually the cardiac valve) and the search of secondary systemic complications. Early depiction of local complications or distant embolization has a great impact on patient management and prognosis, as it may induce to aggressive antibiotic treatment or, in more advanced cases, cardiac surgery. In this setting, the multimodality imaging has assumed a pivotal role in the clinical decision making and it requires the physician to be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of each imaging technique. Echocardiography is the first imaging test, but it has several limitations. Therefore, the integration with other imaging modalities (computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear imaging) becomes often necessary. Different strategies should be applied depending on whether the infection is suspected or already ascertained, whether located in native or prosthetic valves, in the left or right chambers, or if it involves an implanted cardiac device. In addition, detection of extracardiac IE-related lesions is crucial for a correct management and treatment. The aim of this review is to illustrate strengths and weaknesses of the various methods in the most common clinical scenarios.

Diagnostic imaging in infective endocarditis: a contemporary perspective

INTRODUCTION

Infective endocarditis (IE) remains a diagnostic challenge. Prompt diagnosis is essential for accurate risk stratification and appropriate therapeutic decisions and surgical management. In recent years, the use of multimodal imaging has had a transformative effect on the diagnostic approach of IE in selected patients.

AREAS COVERED

This review assesses published literature on different imaging modalities for the diagnosis of IE published between 1 January 2009 and 1 February 2020. We illustrate the diagnostic approach to IE with three clinical cases.

EXPERT OPINION

Novel approaches to imaging for cardiac and extracardiac complications improve and individualize diagnosis, management, and prognosis in patients with suspected IE. The use of multimodal imaging should be guided by a multidisciplinary group of medical providers that includes infectious disease specialists, radiologists, cardiologists, and cardiothoracic surgeons.

European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) international consensus document on how to prevent, diagnose, and treat cardiac implantable electronic device infections-endorsed by the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS), the Latin American Heart Rhythm Society (LAHRS), International Society for Cardiovascular Infectious Diseases (ISCVID), and the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) in collaboration with the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS)

Pacemakers, implantable cardiac defibrillators, and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices are potentially lifesaving treatments for a number of cardiac conditions but are not without risk. Most concerning is the risk of a cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infection, which is associated with significant morbidity, increased hospitalizations, reduced survival, and increased health care costs. Recommended preventive strategies such as administration of intravenous antibiotics before implantation are well-recognized. Uncertainties have remained about the role of various preventive, diagnostic, and treatment measures such as skin antiseptics, pocket antibiotic solutions, antibacterial envelopes, prolonged antibiotics post-implantation, and others. When compared with previous guidelines or consensus statements, the present consensus document gives guidance on the use of novel device alternatives, novel oral anticoagulants, antibacterial envelopes, prolonged antibiotics post-implantation, as well as definitions on minimum quality requirements for centres and operators and volumes. The recognition that an international consensus document focused on management of CIED infections is lacking, the dissemination of results from new important randomized trials focusing on prevention of CIED infections, and observed divergences in managing device-related infections as found in an European Heart Rhythm Association worldwide survey, provided a strong incentive for a Novel 2019 International State-of-the-art Consensus document on risk assessment, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of CIED infections.

European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) international consensus document on how to prevent, diagnose, and treat cardiac implantable electronic device infections-endorsed by the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS), the Latin American Heart Rhythm Society (LAHRS), International Society for Cardiovascular Infectious Diseases (ISCVID) and the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) in collaboration with the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS)

Pacemakers, implantable cardiac defibrillators, and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices are potentially life-saving treatments for a number of cardiac conditions, but are not without risk. Most concerning is the risk of a cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infection, which is associated with significant morbidity, increased hospitalizations, reduced survival, and increased healthcare costs. Recommended preventive strategies such as administration of intravenous antibiotics before implantation are well recognized. Uncertainties have remained about the role of various preventive, diagnostic, and treatment measures such as skin antiseptics, pocket antibiotic solutions, anti-bacterial envelopes, prolonged antibiotics post-implantation, and others. Guidance on whether to use novel device alternatives expected to be less prone to infections and novel oral anticoagulants is also limited, as are definitions on minimum quality requirements for centres and operators and volumes. Moreover, an international consensus document on management of CIED infections is lacking. The recognition of these issues, the dissemination of results from important randomized trials focusing on prevention of CIED infections, and observed divergences in managing device-related infections as found in an European Heart Rhythm Association worldwide survey, provided a strong incentive for a 2019 International State-of-the-art Consensus document on risk assessment, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of CIED infections.

Three dimensional transesophageal echocardiography: a missing link in infective endocarditis imaging?

The role of two dimensional (2D) echocardiography (ECHO) for the diagnosis and clinical decision making in infective endocarditis (IE) has been extensively studied and described in the medical literature. Some reports have demonstrated the incremental value of three dimensional (3D) transesophageal (TE) ECHO in the setting of IE. However, a systematic review focusing on the role of 3D imaging is lacking. In this manuscript, we examine the role of 3D TE ECHO in the diagnosis of IE. IE is a challenging disease in which 2D transthoracic (TT) and TE ECHO have complementary roles and are unequivocally the mainstay of diagnostic imaging. Still, 2D imaging has important limitations. Technological advances in 3D imaging allow for the reconstruction of real-time anatomical images of cardiac structure and function. 3D imaging has emerged as a diagnostic technique that overcame some of the limitations of 2D ECHO. Currently, both transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography transducers are able to generate 3D images. However, 3D TE ECHO provides images of a higher quality in comparison to 3D TT ECHO, and is the best echocardiographic modality able to allow for a detailed anatomical imaging. 3D TE ECHO may represent the key adjunctive echocardiographic technique being able to positively impact on IE-related surgical planning and intervention and to facilitate the interaction between the surgeon and the imaging specialist. Importantly, 3D TE ECHO is not the recommended initial modality of choice for the diagnosis of IE; however, in highly specialized centers, it has become an important complementary technique when advanced surgical planning is required. Furthermore, anatomical imaging has become the link between the different techniques that play a role in IE imaging. In fact, both computed tomography and magnetic resonance allow three dimensional reconstruction. An important future goal should allow for the fusion among various imaging modalities. Our review highlights the role of 3D TE ECHO in IE imaging and emphasize where it offers incremental value.

European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) international consensus document on how to prevent, diagnose, and treat cardiac implantable electronic device infections-endorsed by the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society (APHRS), the Latin American Heart Rhythm Society (LAHRS), International Society for Cardiovascular Infectious Diseases (ISCVID) and the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) in collaboration with the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS)

Pacemakers, implantable cardiac defibrillators, and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices are potentially life-saving treatments for a number of cardiac conditions, but are not without risk. Most concerning is the risk of a cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infection, which is associated with significant morbidity, increased hospitalizations, reduced survival, and increased healthcare costs. Recommended preventive strategies such as administration of intravenous antibiotics before implantation are well recognized. Uncertainties have remained about the role of various preventive, diagnostic, and treatment measures such as skin antiseptics, pocket antibiotic solutions, anti-bacterial envelopes, prolonged antibiotics post-implantation, and others. Guidance on whether to use novel device alternatives expected to be less prone to infections and novel oral anticoagulants is also limited, as are definitions on minimum quality requirements for centres and operators and volumes. Moreover, an international consensus document on management of CIED infections is lacking. The recognition of these issues, the dissemination of results from important randomized trials focusing on prevention of CIED infections, and observed divergences in managing device-related infections as found in an European Heart Rhythm Association worldwide survey, provided a strong incentive for a 2019 International State-of-the-art Consensus document on risk assessment, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of CIED infections.

Multimodality Imaging in Infective Endocarditis: An Imaging Team Within the Endocarditis Team

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a complex disease with cardiac involvement and multiorgan complications. Its prognosis depends on prompt diagnosis that leads to an aggressive therapeutic management combining antibiotic therapy and early cardiac surgery when indicated. However, IE diagnosis always poses a challenge, and echocardiography remains diagnostically imperfect in cases of prosthetic valve IE or cardiac implantable electronic device infection. In recent years, other imaging modalities (computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear imaging) have experienced significant technical improvements, and their application to the detection of cardiac and extracardiac IE-related lesions seems to be a strategic way forward in the management of patients with suspected IE. However, the scientific evidence in the literature remains limited; current guidelines address the use of the multimodality imaging in the field of IE with caution; the incremental value of each technique and their combinations is debated; and their use varies across countries. Despite these limitations, healthcare providers and surgeons should be aware of the possibilities offered by the multimodal imaging approach when appropriate. Here, we emphasize the value of a multidisciplinary heart valve team, the endocarditis team, underlining the importance of cardiac and extracardiac imaging experts in playing a key role in informing the diagnosis and management of patients with IE. Illustrative cases, critical appraisal of contemporary data, and conceptual and practical suggestions for clinicians that may help to improve the prognosis of patients with IE are provided in this review article.

The role of 99mTc-HMPAO-labelled white blood cell scintigraphy in the diagnosis of cardiac device-related infective endocarditis

Aims

The hybrid technique of single-photon emission tomography and computed tomography with technetium99m-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime–labelled leucocytes (99mTc-HMPAO-SPECT/CT) is an emerging diagnostic technique in patients with cardiac device-related infective endocarditis (CDRIE). This prospective study assessed the 99mTc-HMPAO-SPECT/CT diagnostic profile and its added value to the modified Duke criteria (mDuke) in CDRIE diagnostic work-up.

Methods and results

The study examined 103 consecutive patients with suspected CDRIE, who underwent 99mTc-HMPAO-SPECT/CT. Diagnostic accuracy was calculated based on a final clinical CDRIE diagnosis, including microbiology, echocardiography, and a 6-month follow-up. Subsequently, we compared the diagnostic value of the initial mDuke classification with a classification including 99mTc-HMPAO-SPECT/CT positive results as an additional major CDRIE criterion: mDuke-SPECT/CT.

Overall, CDRIE was diagnosed in 31 (31%) patients, whereas 35 (34%) 99mTc-HMPAO-SPECT/CT were positive. 99mTc-HMPAO-SPECT/CT was characterized by 86% accuracy, 0.69 Cohen’s kappa coefficient, 84% sensitivity, 88% specificity, 93% negative, and 74% positive predictive values. The original mDuke displayed 83% accuracy, 0.52 kappa, whereas mDuke-SPECT/CT had 88% accuracy, and 0.73 kappa. Compared with mDuke, mDuke-SPECT/CT showed significantly higher sensitivity (87% vs. 48%, P < 0.001). According to mDuke, 49.5% of patients had possible CDRIE, and after reclassification, that figure dropped to 37%. Furthermore, having assessed the diagnosis categorization improvement following the incorporation of 99mTc-HMPAO-SPECT/CT, the net reclassification index value was found to be 31.4%.

Conclusion

In patients with CDRIE, 99mTc-HMPAO-SPECT/CT provides high diagnostic accuracy, whereas a negative scan excludes CDRIE with high probability. Inclusion of 99mTc-HMPAO-SPECT/CT into mDuke diagnostic criteria yields significantly higher sensitivity and a reduction in possible CDRIE diagnoses.

Three-dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiographic Diagnosis of Catheter Endocarditis Hidden in Intracaval Stent

In recent years, with an increasing number of central venous access procedures and cardiac implantable electronic device implantation, the incidence of infective endocarditis (IE) has become more prevalent. Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2D-TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) are a key part of the evaluation of IE, but advances in three-dimensional echocardiography have enabled a better spatial resolution and visualization of cardiac structures, allowing the identification of any valvular vegetations, abscesses, or nodules. Herein, we report the usefulness of 3D-TEE in a difficult diagnosis of hemodialysis catheter endocarditis hidden in intracaval stent.

Echocardiography in Infective Endocarditis: State of the Art

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

In this review, we examine the central role of echocardiography in the diagnosis, prognosis, and management of infective endocarditis (IE).

RECENT FINDINGS

2D transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography TEE have complementary roles and are unequivocally the mainstay of diagnostic imaging in IE. The advent of 3D and multiplanar imaging have greatly enhanced the ability of the imager to evaluate cardiac structure and function. Technologic advances in 3D imaging allow for the reconstruction of realistic anatomic images that in turn have positively impacted IE-related surgical planning and intervention. CT and metabolic imaging appear to be emerging as promising ancillary diagnostic tools that could be deployed in select scenarios to circumvent some of the limitations of echocardiography. Our review summarizes the indispensable and central role of various echocardiographic modalities in the management of infective endocarditis. The complementary role of 2D TTE and TEE are discussed and areas where 3D TEE offers incremental value highlighted. An algorithm summarizing a contemporary approach to the workup of endocarditis is provided and major societal guidelines for timing of surgery are reviewed.

Right-Sided Infective Endocarditis and Pulmonary Infiltrates: An Update

Sixty years after its initial description, right-sided infective endocarditis (RSIE) still poses a challenge to all medical practitioners. Epidemiological data reveal a rising incidence attributable to the global surge in the number of intravenous drug users and the increased use of central vascular catheters and implantable cardiac devices. RSIE differs from left-sided infective endocarditis in more than just the location of the involved cardiac valve. They have different clinical presentations, diagnostic findings, and prognoses; hence, they require different management strategies. Cardiac murmurs and systemic emboli are usually absent in RSIE, whereas pulmonary embolism and its related complications dominate the clinical picture. Diagnostic delay of RSIE is secondary to the similarity in its initial presentation to other entities. Complications may ensue as a result of this delay. Diagnosis can be initially confirmed by using transthoracic echocardiography, except in patients with implanted cardioverter defibrillator, where a transesophageal echocardiogram is necessary. Various factors may increase mortality and morbidity in RSIE such as tricuspid valve vegetation size, fungal etiology, and low CD4 cell count in HIV patients. Oxacillin and vancomycin had been the traditionally used agents for the treatment of methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. More recently, daptomycin has shown promising results, which has led to its Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for the treatment of S. aureus bacteremia and associated RSIE. The aim of this article is to provide a comprehensive update on RSIE including epidemiology, pathogenesis, microbiology, diagnosis, management, and prognosis.

The diagnostic ability of echocardiography for infective endocarditis and its associated complications

Echocardiography, transthoracic and transoesophageal, plays a key role in the diagnosis and prognosis assessment of patients with infective endocarditis. It constitutes a major Duke criterion and is pivotal in treatment guiding. Seven echocardiographic findings are major criteria in the diagnosis of infective endocarditis (IE) (vegetation, abscess, pseudoaneurysm, fistulae, new dehiscence of a prosthetic valve, perforation and valve aneurysm). Echocardiography must be performed as soon as endocarditis is suspected. Transoesophageal echocardiography should be done in most cases of left-sided endocarditis to better define the anatomic lesions and to rule out local complications. Transoesophageal echocardiography is not necessary in isolated right-sided native valve IE with good quality transthoracic examination and unequivocal echocardiographic findings. Echocardiography is a very useful tool to assess the prognosis of patients with IE at any time during the course of the disease. Echocardiographic predictors of poor outcome include presence of periannular complications, prosthetic dysfunction, low left ventricular ejection fraction, pulmonary hypertension and very large vegetations.

Cardiac imaging in infectious endocarditis

Infectious endocarditis remains both a diagnostic and a treatment challenge. A positive outcome depends on a rapid diagnosis, accurate risk stratification, and a thorough follow-up. Imaging plays a key role in each of these steps and echocardiography remains the cornerstone of the methods in use. The technique of both transthoracic echocardiography and transoesophageal echocardiography has been markedly improved across the last decades and most recently three-dimensional real-time echocardiography has been introduced in the management of endocarditis patients. Echocardiography depicts structural changes and abnormalities in the heart, but it does not uncover the underlying pathophysiological processes at the cellular or molecular level. This problem is addressed with introduction of new molecular imaging methods as (18)F-fluorodesoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) PET-CT and single photon emission computed tomography fused with conventional CT (SPECT/CT). Of these methods, (18)F-FDG PET-CT carries the best promise for a future role in endocarditis. But there are distinct limitations with both SPECT/CT and (18)F-FDG PET-CT which should not be neglected. MRI and spiral CT are methods primarily used in the search for extra cardial infectious foci. A flowchart for the use of imaging in both left-sided and right-sided endocarditis is suggested.

Usefulness of intracardiac echocardiography for the diagnosis of cardiovascular implantable electronic device-related endocarditis

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this study was to compare transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) for the diagnosis of cardiac device-related endocarditis (CDI).

BACKGROUND

The diagnosis of infective endocarditis (IE) was established by using the modified Duke criteria based mainly on echocardiography and blood culture results. No previous studies have compared ICE with TEE for the diagnosis of IE.

METHODS

We prospectively enrolled 162 patients (age 72 ± 11 years; 125 male) who underwent transvenous lead extraction: 152 with CDI and 10 with lead malfunction (control group). Using the modified Duke criteria, we divided the patients with infection into 3 groups: 44 with a "definite" diagnosis of IE (group 1), 52 with a "possible" diagnosis of IE (group 2), and 56 with a "rejected" diagnosis of IE (group 3). TEE and ICE were performed before the procedure.

RESULTS

In group 1, ICE identified intracardiac masses (ICM) in all 44 patients; TEE identified ICM in 32 patients (73%). In group 2, 6 patients (11%) had ICE and TEE both positive for ICM, 8 patients (15%) had a negative TEE but a positive ICE, and 38 patients (73%) had ICE and TEE both negative. In group 3, 2 patients (3%) had ICM both at ICE and TEE, 1 patient (2%) had an ICM at ICE and a negative TEE, and 53 patients (95%) had no ICM at ICE and TEE. ICE and TEE were both negative in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

ICE represents a useful technique for the diagnosis of ICM, thus providing improved imaging of right-sided leads and increasing the diagnostic yield compared with TEE.

Role of transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography in right-sided endocarditis: one echocardiographic modality does not fit all

The added value of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) over transthoracic echocardiography in the assessment of left-sided infective endocarditis has been extensively validated in the literature. Little research has dealt with the role of echocardiography in right-sided infective endocarditis (RSE), however. In this review, the differences between RSE and left-sided endocarditis and the different types of RSE according to the types of patients who have the disease are described. Both issues have important implications for echocardiographic workup. Moreover, a systematic echocardiographic protocol to avoid missing right-sided vegetations and several specific morphologic aspects of RSE are reviewed. Normal right-sided structures, which may mimic vegetations, particularly when the clinical picture is compatible, are described. Finally, the value of transthoracic echocardiography and TEE in RSE is reviewed according to the publications available. The diagnostic yield of transthoracic echocardiography is comparable with that of TEE in intravenous drug users. On the contrary, TEE is mandatory in patients with cardiac devices. A Bayesian-based diagnostic approach is proposed for a third poorly characterized group of patients with RSE who are not drug addicts, have no cardiac devices, and have no left-sided endocarditis (the "three no's" endocarditis group).

Transvenous extraction of pacemaker leads in infective endocarditis with vegetations ≥20 mm: our experience

BACKGROUND

According to published evidence, treatment of infective endocarditis (IE) associated with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) should include complete removal of the system. Several publications have shown that transvenous removal is an effective and safe nonthoracotomy approach in patients with large vegetations, but experiences with vegetations larger than 20 mm have rarely been reported.

HYPOTHESIS

Our aim was to describe our experience in percutaneous removal of CIEDs in patients with IE with large vegetations.

METHODS

The data were collected retrospectively and analyzed prospectively. We evaluated in-hospital morbidity and mortality related to percutaneous removal of vegetations ≥20 mm. This included 8 cases with a follow-up period of 20 months. We removed 100% of leads in the study population.

RESULTS

Two patients experienced minor complications. No patient experienced subclavian vein laceration, hemothorax and lead fracture, or severe tricuspid regurgitation. After the removal procedure, 2 patients had symptoms compatible with pulmonary embolism. Both in-hospital mortality and mortality at follow-up were zero.

CONCLUSIONS

Transvenous extraction of pacing leads with larger vegetations is a feasible technique. There was a tendency toward symptomatic pulmonary embolism in patients with vegetations larger than 20 mm; however, morbidity and mortality were not influenced. We agree with the consensus that this procedure is highly useful and that the selection of the removal techniques will depend not only on the size of vegetation but also on prior cardiopulmonary conditions, concomitant cardiac surgery, atrial septal defect with risk of paradoxical embolism, center experience, and the possibility of complete removal of the device.

Management of cardiac device-related infections: a review of protocol-driven care

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of cardiac device-related infections (CDIs) has mirrored the unprecedented increase in device usage. CDIs are currently one of the leading indications for extraction. Despite this, there is limited data regarding the clinical trends, management and outcomes associated with this complication.

METHODS

A review of a prospective registry of all patients undergoing device extraction between January 1, 2004, and June 15, 2009, at a single high-volume tertiary referral center was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 506 consecutive patients were identified. From these, 350 patients were identified as having a CDI (205 ICD, 145 PPM). The mean age was 69.9 ± 13.7. Although most patients presented clinically with signs of a pocket infection (PI) (42%), the most common final diagnosis was cardiac device infective endocarditis (CDIE) (57%). The two most common pathogens were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (27%) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis (23%); they accounted for 69% of all deaths. Cultures taken from pocket tissue as opposed to exudates displayed higher concordance with lead-tip cultures (56% and 31% respectively). The mean time from explantation to device reimplantation for PIs, bacteremia and CDIE was 6.7 ± 4.7, 10.25 ± 4.7 and 11.39 ± 16.6 days respectively.

CONCLUSION

CDIs are a serious complication associated with device usage. Diagnosis and management protocols for CDIs should feature transesophageal echocardiography; complete hardware extraction; broad-spectrum antibiotics that cover methicillin-resistant Staphylococci and cultures derived from lead-tips and preferably pocket tissue. Immediate device reimplantation is possible in noninfectious cases; several factors should be considered regarding reimplantation in cases involving CDIs.

Recommendations for the practice of echocardiography in infective endocarditis

Echocardiography plays a key role in the assessment of infective endocarditis (IE). It is useful for the diagnosis of endocarditis, the assessment of the severity of the disease, the prediction of short- and long-term prognosis, the prediction of embolic events, and the follow-up of patients under specific antibiotic therapy. Echocardiography is also useful for the diagnosis and management of the complications of IE, helping the physician in decision-making, particularly when a surgical therapy is considered. Finally, intraoperative echocardiography must be performed in IE to help the surgeon in the assessment and management of patients with IE during surgery. The current 'recommendations for the practice of echocardiography in infective endocarditis' aims to provide both an updated summary concerning the value and limitations of echocardiography in IE, and clear and simple recommendations for the optimal use of both transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography in IE.

Echocardiography in the sepsis syndromes

Purpose of the review

Non-invasiveness and instantaneous diagnostic capability are prominent features of the use of echocardiography in critical care. Sepsis and septic shock represent complex situations where early hemodynamic assessment and support are among the keys to therapeutic success. In this review, we discuss the range of applications of echocardiography in the management of the septic patient, and propose an echocardiography-based goal-oriented hemodynamic approach to septic shock.

Recent findings

Echocardiography can play a key role in the critical septic patient management, by excluding cardiac causes for sepsis, and mostly by guiding hemodynamic management of those patients in whom sepsis reaches such a severity to jeopardize cardiovascular function. In recent years, there have been both increasing evidence and diffusion of the use of echocardiography as monitoring tool in the patients with hemodynamic compromise. Also thanks to echocardiography, the features of the well-known sepsis-related myocardial dysfunction have been better characterized. Furthermore, many of the recent echocardiographic indices of volume responsiveness have been validated in populations of septic shock patients.

Conclusion

Although not proven yet in terms of patient outcome, echocardiography can be regarded as an ideal monitoring tool in the septic patient, as it allows (a) first line differential diagnosis of shock and early recognition of sepsis-related myocardial dysfunction; (b) detection of pre-existing cardiac pathology, that yields precious information in septic shock management; (c) comprehensive hemodynamic monitoring through a systematic approach based on repeated bedside assessment; (d) integration with other monitoring devices; and (e) screening for cardiac source of sepsis.

Cardiovascular implantable electronic device infection in patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia

BACKGROUND

Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) in patients with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIED), including permanent pacemakers (PPMs) and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD), can be the sole manifestation of device infection.

METHODS

To assess clinical factors associated with CIED infection, we retrospectively reviewed all patients with both CIED and SAB seen at Mayo Clinic Rochester between 2001 through 2006. CIED infection was defined using microbiological and clinical criteria.

RESULTS

Of the 62 patients with SAB and a CIED, 22 patients (35.5%) had CIED infection. The generator pocket was identified as the source of bacteremia in seven (11%) patients. The majority of CIED infections were device-related infective endocarditis (12 of 22, 55%). Thirty percent of patients presenting with SAB greater than 1 year after device implantation had CIED infection; all but one had CIED-related infective endocarditis. Sixty percent of ICD patients (12 of 20) with SAB had CIED infection, compared with 24% of PPM patients (10 of 42, P = 0.01). On univariate analysis factors associated with CIED-related infective endocarditis included device type [odds ratio (OR) for ICD 13.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.1, 84.9) and presence of a prosthetic heart valve (OR 6.8 95% CI 1.1, 43.4).

CONCLUSIONS

CIED infection is common in patients with SAB. The presence of an ICD and prosthetic heart valve were associated with CIED-related infective endocarditis. Subsequent work should focus on prospectively characterizing the subset of patients with CIED infection who present with SAB as the sole manifestation of their device infection. (PACE 2010; 407-413).

Echocardiography practice, training and accreditation in the intensive care: document for the World Interactive Network Focused on Critical Ultrasound (WINFOCUS)

Echocardiography is increasingly used in the management of the critically ill patient as a non-invasive diagnostic and monitoring tool. Whilst in few countries specialized national training schemes for intensive care unit (ICU) echocardiography have been developed, specific guidelines for ICU physicians wishing to incorporate echocardiography into their clinical practice are lacking. Further, existing echocardiography accreditation does not reflect the requirements of the ICU practitioner. The WINFOCUS (World Interactive Network Focused On Critical UltraSound) ECHO-ICU Group drew up a document aimed at providing guidance to individual physicians, trainers and the relevant societies of the requirements for the development of skills in echocardiography in the ICU setting. The document is based on recommendations published by the Royal College of Radiologists, British Society of Echocardiography, European Association of Echocardiography and American Society of Echocardiography, together with international input from established practitioners of ICU echocardiography. The recommendations contained in this document are concerned with theoretical basis of ultrasonography, the practical aspects of building an ICU-based echocardiography service as well as the key components of standard adult TTE and TEE studies to be performed on the ICU. Specific issues regarding echocardiography in different ICU clinical scenarios are then described. Obtaining competence in ICU echocardiography may be achieved in different ways - either through completion of an appropriate fellowship/training scheme, or, where not available, via a staged approach designed to train the practitioner to a level at which they can achieve accreditation. Here, peri-resuscitation focused echocardiography represents the entry level--obtainable through established courses followed by mentored practice. Next, a competence-based modular training programme is proposed: theoretical elements delivered through blended-learning and practical elements acquired in parallel through proctored practice. These all linked with existing national/international echocardiography courses. When completed, it is anticipated that the practitioner will have performed the prerequisite number of studies, and achieved the competency to undertake accreditation (leading to Level 2 competence) via a recognized National or European examination and provide the appropriate required evidence of competency (logbook). Thus, even where appropriate fellowships are not available, with support from the relevant echocardiography bodies, training and subsequently accreditation in ICU echocardiography becomes achievable within the existing framework of current critical care and cardiological practice, and is adaptable to each countrie's needs.

Intracardiac echocardiography in patients with pacing and defibrillating leads: a feasibility study

BACKGROUND

Lead extraction, an important and necessary component of treatment for many common device and lead-related complications, is a procedure that can provoke much anxiety in even the most experienced operators given the potentially serious complications. The principal impediment to lead extraction is the body's response to an intravascular foreign body with matrix intravascular neoformation, which causes the lead to adhere to the endocardium or vascular structure, increasing the risk of vascular or myocardial damage with lead removal. Fluoroscopic visualization, the commonly visualization used tool, has several limits in terms of anatomical structures visualization. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and feasibility of intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) in patients undergoing pacing and defibrillating leads before and during a transvenous device removal, and its potential role in detecting intracardiac leads and areas of fibrous adherence.

METHODS

ICE interrogation was performed in 25 consecutive patients with pacing and defibrillating implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD) leads before and during device removal.

RESULTS

A programmed ICE analysis was completed in 23 out of 25 patients with excellent resolution, providing a "qualitative-quantitative" information on anatomical structures, cardiac leads, and related areas of fibrous adherence. No ICE-related complications occurred.

CONCLUSIONS

ICE evaluation is safe and feasible in patients with pacing and defibrillating leads before and during transvenous lead removal, offering an excellent visualization of cardiac leads and related areas of adherence. ICE can assist pacing and ICD lead removal and could improve procedure efficacy and safety.

[Non-valvular cardiac devices endocarditis]

The risk of infective endocarditis on pacemaker or ICD is not negligible and has increased in recent years. Several host-related, procedure-related, or device-related risk factors have been recognized. Owing to its potential severity, the possibility of infective endocarditis should be envisaged in patients with repeated pulmonary infections or documented bacteremia and transesophageal echocardiography should then be used. The most common germs causing pacemaker endocarditis are staphylococci. Treatment requires prolonged antibiotic therapy and retrieval of the pacemaker and leads.