Patient Report and Review of Rapidly Growing Mycobacterial Infection after Cardiac Device Implantation

Matters of the heart: A scoping review toward better management of nontuberculous mycobacterial infections of cardiac devices

Background

Implantable cardiac device-related (ICDR) nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections are increasingly reported in the literature, but guidelines for optimal management are lacking.

Methods

We searched Medline, Embase, and Scopus from inception to 1/20/2022 for cases of ICDR NTM infection. Cardiac devices include but are not limited to prosthetic valves, cardiovascular implantable device (CIED), and left ventricular-assist devices (LVAD). We categorized outcomes as death, failure, relapse, cure, and treatment complete.

Main results

A total of 81 articles met our inclusion criteria, representing 122 patients. Eleven different NTM species were reported, with rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM) including M. fortuitum, M. chelonae, and M. abscessus comprising approximately 60 % of the identified organisms. Prosthetic heart valves (N = 61; 50 %) and CIED (N = 46; 38 %) were the most frequently associated cardiac devices. Favorable outcomes, defined as treatment complete and cure, were significantly associated with device removal after adjusting for age, gender, and device type (aOR 3.45, 95 %CI 1.30-9.14).

Conclusion

We found that patients who underwent device removal had better outcomes than those with retained devices. Device removal should be strongly considered when possible.

Incidence of secondary pericardial effusions associated with different etiologies: a comprehensive review of literature

Pericardial effusion is a relatively common complication associated with inflammatory and non-inflammatory diseases. The primary etiology of this condition could be considered when choosing therapeutic options and factors such as effusion size and its hemodynamic consequence. In most cases, small to moderate pericardial effusions can be managed with observation and anti-inflammatory medications unless the effusion develops rapidly. However, in a small proportion of patients, large effusions lead to impaired cardiac filling with hemodynamic compromise and cardiovascular collapse due to cardiac tamponade. The rate at which fluid accumulates is the primary determinant of hemodynamic impact and thus guides the choice of treatment, irrespective of the effusion's size. Severe cases are typically treated with pericardiocentesis with echocardiographic guidance. More aggressive treatments may be necessary for cases due to purulent or malignant etiologies. These cases may require a pericardial window to allow for long-term drainage of the pericardial fluid. This comprehensive review focuses on the epidemiology of pericardial effusion and discusses pathophysiology, diagnostic approaches, and therapeutic options for different causes of secondary pericardial effusions.

Cardiovascular device infections due to rapidly growing Mycobacteria: A review of cases at a tertiary care hospital

Cardiovascular device infection due to rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM) is rarely encountered in clinical practice. Due to the increasing number of indications and use of cardiovascular devices in an aging population, optimized management of these infections is of great importance. We report seven cases of RGM cardiovascular device infection. Three patients had left-ventricular assist device (LVAD) infections; two patients had cardiovascular implantable device (CIED) infections; and one had an aortic vascular stent infection. Specific cardiac valvular infection was not detected among any of the patients. All patients had a high number of comorbidities which limited some patients from receiving optimal combination antimicrobial therapy. The prognosis of cardiovascular device infections with RGM is guarded with only four patients still alive; however, the treatment approach for each patient varied considerably and often based on concurrent medical conditions, overall adjustments to goals of care, and specific patient preferences. Further analysis of cardiovascular device infections with RGM is warranted to establish a more systematic approach in successful management.

Contemporary Management Strategies in VAD Infection

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The use of durable ventricular assist devices (VAD) to manage end-stage heart failure is increasing, but infection remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with VAD. In this review, we synthesize recent data pertaining to the epidemiology, diagnosis, management, and prevention of VAD infections, discuss transplant considerations in patients with VAD infections, and highlight remaining knowledge gaps. We also present a conceptual framework for treating clinicians to approach these infections that draws on the same principles that guide the treatment of analogous infections that occur in patients without VAD.

RECENT FINDINGS

Despite advances in device design, surgical techniques, and preventative interventions, more than a third of VAD recipients still experience infection as an adverse outcome. Positron emission tomography has emerged as a promising modality for identifying and characterizing VAD infections. High-quality data to support many of the routine therapeutic strategies currently used for VAD infections-including suppressive antibiotic therapy, surgical debridement/device exchange, and novel antimicrobials for emerging multidrug-resistant organisms-remain limited. Although pre-transplant VAD infection may impact some early transplant outcomes, transplantation remains a viable option for patients with most types of VAD infection. Standardized definitions of VAD infection applied to large registry datasets have yielded key insights into the epidemiology of infectious complications among VAD recipients, but more prospective studies are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of existing and novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Tuberculosis and the Heart

Acquired tuberculosis continues to be a challenge worldwide. Although tuberculosis has been considered a global public health emergency, it remains poorly controlled in many countries. Despite being primarily a pulmonary disease, tuberculosis could involve the heart. This systematic review is part of the "Neglected Tropical Diseases and Other Infectious Diseases Involving the Heart" (the NET-Heart Project) initiative from the Interamerican Society of Cardiology. This project aims to review the cardiovascular involvement of these heterogeneous diseases, advancing original algorithms to help healthcare providers diagnose and manage cardiovascular complications. In tuberculosis, pericardium involvement is relatively common, especially in AIDS, and tuberculosis is the most common cause of constrictive pericarditis in endemic countries. Myocarditis and aortitis by tuberculosis are rare. Clinical manifestations of cardiovascular involvement by tuberculosis differ from those typically found for bacteria or viruses. Prevailing systemic symptoms and the pericarditis diagnostic index should be taken into account. An echocardiogram is the first step for diagnosing cardiovascular involvement; however, several image modalities can be used, depending on the suspected site of infection. Adenosine deaminase levels, gamma interferon, or polymerase chain reaction testing could be used to confirm tuberculosis infection; each has a high diagnostic performance. Antituberculosis chemotherapy and corticosteroids are treatment mainstays that significantly reduce mortality, constriction, and hospitalizations, especially in patients with HIV. In conclusion, tuberculosis cardiac involvement is frequent and could lead to heart failure, constrictive pericarditis, or death. Early detection of complications should be a cornerstone of overall management.

Rare enough ? Cardiac Device-related pocket Infection due to Mycobacterium fortuitum

Nontuberculous mycobacteria are rare causes of cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED)-related infections and may lead to device-related endocarditis, so preventing them is key. We present a case of CIED-related pocket infection due to Mycobacterium fortuitum which highlights the challenges in management of such infections.

Complete Genome Sequence of Mycolicibacterium sp. Strain NIID-NTM18, Isolated from Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Infection and Most Similar to Mycolicibacterium litorale

Mycolicibacterium litorale is a rapidly growing mycobacterial organism with unknown pathogenic features. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of Mycolicibacterium sp. strain NIID-NTM18, which was isolated from a cardiac implantable electronic device infection and which is most similar to M. litorale This sequence will provide essential information for future studies of the pathogenicity of these mycobacteria.

Rare case of pacemaker infection with Mycobacterium abscessus

Though prevalent in the environment, nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) have been increasingly identified as pathogenic. Sporadic reports of NTM infection of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) have appeared but remain rare. This case describes a CIED infection with Mycobacterium abscessus, the third reported case in the literature. A 63-year-old male presented with a 3-day history of drainage from his pacemaker extraction site. An aspirate grew Mycobacterium abscessus Together with National Jewish Health, a treatment plan was developed, consisting of an induction phase with amikacin, cefoxitin and clarithromycin followed by a maintenance phase with clarithromycin and clofazimine. The clinical course was complicated by cardiac arrhythmia, abscess formation and thoracic osteomyelitis with epidural abscess. This case highlights a rare manifestation of Mycobacterium abscessus disease and suggests the need for further study. Treatment is complicated by unpredictable resistance patterns, complex antimicrobial regimens and the use of arrhythmogenic medications in patients with removed CIEDs.

Cardiovascular implantable electronic device infection with rapidly growing mycobacteria

Cardiovascular implantable electronic devices, which are frequently utilized for many cardiovascular diseases, can become infected, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. This case highlights an unusual presentation of pacemaker generator pocket infection with Mycobacterium fortuitum.

Cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator pocket infection caused by Mycobacterium fortuitum: a case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

With the rising utilization of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), infections secondary to device implantation are increasingly encountered. Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci are usually the predominant causative organisms. A CIED infection due to non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) is extremely rare.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 68-year-old man was admitted to our hospital with a history of pain and swelling at his cardiac resynchronization therapy-defibrillator (CRT-D) pocket site, for 4 days. The CRT-D had been implanted 2 weeks prior. The exudate smear was positive for acid-fast bacilli and culture results revealed rapidly growing nontuberculous mycobacteria (RGM). After an urgent removal of the device followed by 1 year of antibiotic treatment, the patient was completely cured. A new device was finally implanted, 3 years later.

CONCLUSIONS

Infections caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria following the implantation of cardiac devices are very rare. The typical manifestations of post-implantation CIED infections caused by RGMs include an early onset, with local redness, swelling, and spontaneous drainage. Systemic symptoms such as fever, chills, and fatigue are absent. Mycobacterium fortuitum is the most common species of RGM implicated in CIED infections, the manifestations of which usually appear within several weeks of the implantation procedure. An urgent removal of the device and appropriate antibiotic therapy are essential therapeutic measures. This is the first such reported case, in which the patient has been re-implanted with another device at the same site, after achieving a complete cure. We followed-up the patient for an additional 3 years and observed that the patient remained free of infection. Our case report shows that though an RGM infection is rare and difficult to treat, it can be completely cured. In addition, we demonstrated that it is subsequently possible to safely re-implant a CIED for the patient, at the same site.

Cardiac implantable electronic device infection in the cardiac referral center in Thailand: incidence, microbiology, risk factors, and outcomes

BACKGROUND

Despite the long experience of cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) implantation in Thailand, epidemiology of CIED infection in Thailand has never been studied.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted at the cardiac referral center in Thailand to investigate incidence of CIED infection and causative organisms between October 2002 and December 2017. A matched case-control study was performed to determine the factors associated with CIED infection.

RESULTS

Incidence of CIED infection was 0.9% with a stable trend during the studied period. There were 54 episodes of CIED infection. The median (interquartile range) age of the patients was 67.5 (53.0-75.0) years. A total of 29 (53.7%), 18 (33.3%), and 7 (13.0%) were permanent pacemaker, automatic implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, and cardio-resynchronization therapy-related infection, respectively. Gram-positive cocci were the most common organism (24 episodes, 44.4%). Gram-negative bacilli were isolated in six episodes (11.1%). About 9.3% were polymicrobial and 35.2% were culture negative. Multivariate analysis showed that previous CIED infection and generator revision procedure were associated with CIED infection (odds ratio [OR] 48.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.72-633.62; P = 0.003 and OR 19.99, 95% CI 1.28-333.24; P = 0.033 respectively). Forty (74.1%) cases were cured. Leaving device in situ was the only factor significantly associated with poor outcome (OR 11.40, 95% CI 1.52-85.73; P = 0.018).

CONCLUSIONS

In Thailand, while CIED implantation is rising, incidence of CIED infection is stable. Microbiology of CIED infection in Thailand is similar to western countries, albeit a higher proportion of negative culture. Previous CIED infection and generator revision procedure are associated with CIED infection.

Mycobacterium abscessus Left Ventricle Assist Device Driveline Infections: An Emerging Pathogen?

The use of left ventricular assist device is associated with improvement in survival in patients with refractory heart failure. However, driveline infection limits the success of its use as it is associated with significant mortality. We describe the first 2 cases of Mycobacterium abscessus driveline infection. Both patients had persistent infection despite of aggressive antibiotic treatment and local debridement, and only improved after removal of their left ventricular assist devices.

How can we improve the outcome for transplant patients with nontuberculous mycobacterial infections?

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are environmental organisms that are rapidly emerging as pathogens in the transplant population. The prevalence of infection in transplant recipients remains unknown. While guidelines exist for treatment of NTM, neither the American Thoracic Society, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, nor the British Thoracic Society guidelines dictate the approach needed for transplant recipients. Here, we summarize risk factors, important diagnostic and treatment facts, and preventive measures to be taken to help improve outcomes of those infected with NTM infections.

Implantable cardiac defibrillator infections: the emerging importance of Mycobacterium fortuitum

Infection is a clinically relevant complication associated with intracardiac devices. Atypical mycobacteria, particularly Mycobacterium fortuitum, have been increasingly implicated in cardiovascular implantable electronic device (CIED) infections. We present a case of M. fortuitum CIED infection in a patient with ischaemic cardiomyopathy occurring approximately 3 weeks after insertion. The recognition and adequate treatment, including device removal, tissue sampling and the determination of antimicrobial sensitivities, are essential in the proper management of these patients.

Driveline Infection in Ventricular Assist Devices and Its Implication in the Present Era of Destination Therapy

Advances in mechanical circulatory support devices provided the technology to develop long-term, implantable left ventricular assist devices as bridge to transplant, destination therapy, and in a lesser group of patients, as bridge to recovery. Despite the benefits from this innovative therapy, with their increased use, many complications have been encountered, one of the most common being infections. With the driveline acting as a portal to the exterior environment, an infection involving this structure is the most frequent one. Because patients with destination therapy are expected to receive circulatory support for a longer period of time, we will focus this review on the risk factors, prevention, and treatment options for driveline infections.

Evaluation of GenoType NTM-DR Assay for Identification of Mycobacterium chimaera

Identification of species within the Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) is difficult, and most current diagnostic laboratory tests cannot distinguish between species included in the complex. Differentiation of species within the MAC is important, as Mycobacterium chimaera has recently emerged as a major cause of invasive cardiovascular infections following open heart surgery. A new commercial diagnostic assay, GenoType NTM-DR ver. 1.0, is intended to differentiate between three species within the MAC, namely, Mycobacterium avium, Mycobacterium intracellulare, and Mycobacterium chimaera In this study, we investigated an archival collection of 173 MAC isolates using 16S rRNA and 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene sequencing, and GenoType NTM-DR was evaluated for identifying M. chimaera and other species belonging to the MAC. Species identification of 157/173 (91%) isolates with the GenoType NTM-DR assay was in agreement with 16S rRNA and 16S-23S ITS gene sequencing results. Misidentification occurred with 16 isolates which belonged to four species included in the MAC that are rarely encountered in clinical specimens. Despite some limitations of this assay, GenoType NTM-DR had 100% specificity for identifying M. chimaera This novel assay will enable diagnostic laboratories to differentiate species belonging to the Mycobacterium avium complex and to accurately identify M. chimaera It can produce rapid results and is also more cost efficient than gene sequencing methods.

Pacemaker pocket infection due to Mycobacterium goodii, a rapidly growing mycobacteria

A woman aged 74 years with an implanted dual-chamber pacemaker presented with pacemaker site infection after failing empiric antimicrobial therapy. The pathogen was later identified as Mycobacterium goodii, a rapidly growing mycobacteria species. The pacemaker was subsequently removed and the patient was treated with oral ciprofloxacin and doxycycline with clinical improvement. In this article, we describe a rare case of pacemaker site infection by M. goodii.