Hydrosoluble and Liposoluble Vitamins: New Perspectives through ADMET Analysis

Background and Objectives: The present study demonstrates that apart from the well-known toxicity of liposoluble vitamins, some hydrosoluble vitamins may also exert toxicity; thus, routine supplementation with vitamins or ingestion of fortified foods should not be considered harmless. The study addresses the possible correlations between the physico-chemical properties and the side effects of vitamins when taken in high doses or for a too long a period. Materials and Methods: The FAFDrugs4.0 computational tool was used for computational assessment of the ADMET profile of several hydro- and liposoluble vitamins. Results: ADMET analysis revealed the following major data: vitamin B3 and B13 showed reduced structural complexity; thus, a relative toxicological potential may be exerted. Vitamins B1 and B7 were found to have good oral absorption and thus good bioavailability, while Vitamin B3 was found to have decreased oral absorption. In addition, all of the liposoluble vitamins reflected higher complexity, much greater than most of the potentially therapeutically-proven compounds. Conclusions: The present study emphasizes the importance between the physico-chemical properties of vitamins and their possible toxicological impact.

Impending Aortic Rupture in a Patient with Syphilitic Aortitis

We report the case of a 48-year-old man, admitted for atrial fibrillation with rapid heart rate and intense chest pain. A quick evaluation revealed a giant aortic aneurysm with severe aortic regurgitation and pericardial fluid without a trace of aortic dissection. Because of high suspicion of aortic rupture, an emergency surgery was planned, and a Bentall procedure was performed. On examination of the aortic wall revealing vertical wrinkling with a tree bark aspect, suspicion of syphilitic aortitis arose. The diagnosis was confirmed through postoperative serologic testing and histological examination. Histopathologic differential diagnosis, special treatment and follow-up are presented.

A rare case of anaerobic streptococci endocarditis in a young female with bicuspid aortic valve: case report

BACKGROUND

Bicuspid aortic valve is the most common congenital cardiovascular malformation and occurs in 1-2% of the population. The haemodynamic changes appear early, leading to tissue damage and predisposing to germs attachment. The development of perivalvular extension is a constant in bicuspid aortic valve endocarditis. Infective endocarditis with anaerobic bacteria is a rare condition with a high rate of mortality.

CASE SUMMARY

We report a case of a young female with bicuspid aortic valve infective endocarditis. Involved bacteria were anaerobic streptococci, and the clinical course of the diseases was very aggressive. The echocardiographic evaluation revealed aortic and mitral regurgitation, perivalvular abscess, ventricular septum defect, and pericardial effusion. The surgery approach consisted of the aortic valve replacement with a mechanical prosthesis after radical resection of aortic root abscess and reconstruction of the annulus. The ventricular septum defect was also closed with a pericardial patch. Anticoagulation started the first day after surgery. The patient was received antibiotic therapy for 10 days before and 4 weeks after surgical intervention. Evolution was very good at 1 and 6 months follow-up.

DISCUSSION

This is a severe case of endocarditis, complicated with extensive valvular destruction, aortic root abscess, and fistula. Perivalvular complications are frequent in patients with bicuspid aortic valve endocarditis. The 'take away' message is that echocardiography is an essential tool for diagnosis, management, and follow-up of patients with infective endocarditis.

P690 Pulmonary valve endocarditis complicated with fistula between right ventricle outflow tract and aorta in a patient with patent ductus arteriosus

Background

The majority of cases of right sided infective endocarditis involve the tricuspid valve. Isolated pulmonary valve (PV) endocarditis is rare. Congenital heart disease are risk factors. Material and methods: We present the case of 36 years old male, without any known cardiovascular disease, who was admitted with signs and symptoms of heart failure, pulmonary embolism and fever. He was evaluated clinically, 12 lead ECG, pulmonary radiography, thoracic computer tomography (CT) scan, transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, laboratory investigations. Results: Transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiogram revealed large vegetations located on pulmonary valve, pulmonary regurgitation and dilation of the pulmonary valve, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) with bidirectional shunt and local complications: fistula between right ventricle outflow tract (RVOT) and aorta, pleural and pericardial effusion. Blood cultures were negative. ECG aspect was right bundle branch block. Radiography and thoracic CT scan revealed pulmonary embolism aspect. The patient was treated with antibiotics and surgical option included debridement of the infected area, vegetation excision with valve replacement, relief of RVOT, fistula closure with pericardial patch and ligature of PDA. Evolution after surgical intervention was good.Conclusions: This presentation reveals a favorable evolution of a patient with infective endocarditis located to pulmonary valve. In most of cases, right heart endocarditis presents with signs and symptoms of respiratory disease and fever; these are due to septic pulmonary embolization. Isolated PV endocarditis still remains a challenging and needs carefully echocardiographic evaluation for a correct diagnosis and risk factors identification.

Pre-operative transthoracic real-time three-dimensional echocardiography for a better surgical strategy

In this study we aimed to evaluate the three-dimensional (3D) transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in the assessment of cardiac valve morphology.

METHODS

Bidimensional (2D) and real-time 3D TTE was performed in 104 patients consecutive with cardiac catheterisation, prior to valve surgery. Using surgical findings as the gold standard, 2D and 3D TTE were compared for adequate recognition and accurate detection of morphology. A scoring protocol was used for recognition of the valvular segments (0= inadequate, 1 = adequate).

RESULTS

Adequate echographic visualization of the valve segments was more frequently obtained by 3D than 2D TTE imaging (731/770 by 3D TTE vs. 693/770 by 2D TTE, p < 0.01). The valve leaflets segments were more clearly identified by 3D TTE rather than by 2D TTE (502/531 vs. 471/531, p <0.01). The assessment of commissures was similar by both methods (229/239 vs. 222/239, p=0.09). Total 3D TTE scores for mitral and aortic valves were significantly better than 2D ITE scores (mean score 12.91+/-1.62 by 3D vs 11.58+/-1.02 by 2D, p=0.02). This superiority of 3D TTE was irrespective of rhythm (p <0.05 for both sinus rhythm and atrial fibrillation). Using surgical classification of valvular disease as gold standard, the sensibility and specificity were 91% and 84 % for 3D TTE, and 85% and 77% for 2D TTE, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Real-time 3D was superior to 2D TTE forthe accurate localization and identification of valvular pathology, irrespective of heart rhythm.

Unusual cause of heart failure in a 65-year-old woman

Left ventricular (LV) free wall rupture is a potentially lethal mechanical complication after myocardial infarction (MI). Pericardial adhesions or slow extracardiac leak and pericardial inflammation may result in a contained cardiac rupture. LV pseudoaneurysm is a relatively uncommon clinical entity. It may occur after MI, but also as a complication of infective endocarditis, cardiac surgery, or trauma. Patients developing LV pseudoaneurysm after MI may present angina pectoris or signs of congestive heart failure (HF) but often are asymptomatic. Surgery is the treatment of choice for LV pseudoaneurysms diagnosed in the first months after MI. The management of chronic LV pseudoaneurysms is still subject of debate. This report highlights a 65-year-old patient newly hospitalized for acute decompensated HF who was diagnosed with a large chronic LV pseudoaneurysm and severe mitral regurgitation. The patient underwent successful resection of the pseudoaneurysm and patch repair of the ruptured ventricular wall.