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BACKGROUND: Enterococci are responsible for 5% to 18% of infective endocarditis (IE) cases. We aimed to determine demographic data, predisposing factors, clinical presentations, complications and echocardiographic findings concerning enterococcal endocarditis. METHODS: Since 2006, all adult patients with a possible or definite diagnosis of IE based on the modified Duke criteria have been enrolled in the Iranian Registry of Infective Endocarditis. In this study, patients with IE of enterococcal origin were detected and their demographic characteristics, predisposing factors, complications, laboratory data and echocardiographic findings were assessed. RESULTS: Out of 731 patients diagnosed with endocarditis. Enterococci were found in 60 patients: 32 men (53.3%) and 28 women (46.7%) at a mean age of 55.21 ± 17.9 years. Definite IE was diagnosed in 57 (95%) patients, and possible IE was suspected in 3 patients (5%). The most frequent predisposing factor was the prosthetic valve (n=28, 46.7%), followed by a history of previous endocarditis (n=12, 20%). An acute course (<6 wk) was reported in 38 patients (63.3%). Fever (n=58, 95%) and loss of appetite (n=17, 28.3%) were the most frequent symptoms. The most frequent location of involvement was the aortic valve (n=22, 36.7%), followed by the mitral valve (n=20,33.3%). Vegetation was detected in 53 patients (88.3%), abscess formation in 8 (13%). Fifteen patients (25%) had heart failure, and 11 (18%) had central nervous system complications. The mortality rate was 20%. CONCLUSION: Given the serious complications and the high mortality rate in the patients with IE of enterococcal origin, which may be due to these organisms' intrinsic resistance to many antibiotics, we suggest further studies to determine more effective antibiotic regimens and even individualized antibiotic therapies for enterococcal endocarditis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Apical Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (ApHCM) is a rare form ofhypertrophic cardiomyopathy with sarcomere protein gene mutations, which predominantly affects the apex of the left ventricle. Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) and cardiovascular morbidity are less likely to occur in patients with isolated ApHCM. However, recent data suggested annual cardiac death rates of 0.5 - 4%, approaching those for classic HCM. Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of burned-out ApHCM and its predictors. Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, echocardiographic data and electrocardiography features of 230 patients with ApHCM including premature ventricular contraction and atrial fibrillation were gathered and analyzed at baseline and after a mean follow-up of five years. All data were obtained from the data registry of Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Tehran, Iran. The data were included in a retrospective study, which was approved by the local Ethics Committee. The patients were divided into two groups as follows: 1- Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) ≥ 50% and 2- LVEF < 50% known as burned-out ApHCM. Data analysis was also based on LVEF. Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) regression was performed to assess the association between the patients' characteristics and burned-out ApHCM. The clinical features demonstrating P < 0.05 in the univariate GEE analysis were included in a multivariate model to identify the independent predictors. Results: The prevalence of burned-out ApHCM, defined as LVEF < 50%, was 13.9%. There was no significant difference between males and females in this regard (P = 0.48). After a mean follow-up of five years, atrial fibrillation was significantly more common in the patients with LVEF < 50% (48.7% vs. 24.4%, P = 0.007). Additionally, left atrial enlargement was identified as the most important predictor of BO-ApHCM (odds ratio = 2.4, P = 0.003). Moreover, right ventricular dysfunction was more severe in the patients with burned-out ApHCM (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The prevalence of burned-out HCM was higher in the present study than in the previous studies (13.9%). Besides, right ventricular systolic dysfunction and left atrial enlargement were two main predictors of the ApHCM progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Infective Endocarditis (IE) is a life-threatening disease. Regardless of improved healthcare, the incidence of IE has increased over time. A variety of microorganisms have been found to be associated with IE. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the incidence of various microorganisms in patients admitted with IE and to assess their relationships with in-hospital complications. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on patients with definite or possible IE based on the Duke criteria at a tertiary referral center between 2016 and 2021. Blood cultures were performed for all the patients to document the positive or negative blood cultures as well as the types of microorganism. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS 18 software. Results: The study population consisted of286 patients (181 males (63.3%) and 105 females (36.7%)) with the mean age of49.67 ± 17.11 years. The most common cardiac predisposing factor was the prosthetic valve (n = 110, 38.5%) followed by a history of congenital heart disease (n = 68, 23.8%), while the most frequent non-cardiac predisposing factors were a history of chronic kidney disease (n = 75, 26.2%) and diabetes mellitus (n = 53, 18.5%). The most frequent causative microorganisms were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (n = 37, 12.9%), Staphylococcus aureus (n = 31, 10.4%), Enterococcus (n = 29, 10.1%), and Streptococcus viridans (n = 14, 4.9%). The most common complications were acute renal failure (26.6%), heart failure (17.5%), and pulmonary involvement (8.4%). Conclusions: The frequencies of microorganisms related to IE, especially culture-negative IE, vary in different countries, precluding the practical use of a specific guideline around the world. Further research is, therefore, required to determine the epidemiology and microbiology of IE in different countries with a view to eventually devising an individualized guideline appropriate to the epidemiology and microbiology of IE in every country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Myocardial protection during cardiopulmonary bypass requires essential techniques to preserve myocardial function and protect the myocardium from cellular damage. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of del Nido cardioplegia in mitral valve surgery compared to Buckberg solution. Methods: All patients who underwent mitral valve surgery from April 2018 to December 2018 were recruited in the present trial. The patients were assigned randomly into del Nido and Buckberg groups. Trans-thoracic and trans-esophageal echocardiography were performed before and after the procedure to evaluate left ventricular ejection fraction, as the primary outcome. Results: A total of 152 patients (77 in the del Nido group and 75 in the Buckberg group) were included in the final analysis. The mean age of the participants was 51.3 ± 13.4 years, and 55.3% of the patients were female. The two groups were comparable in terms of all baseline characteristics. The results also showed no significant difference between the two groups regarding pre-operative ejection fractions (P = 0.063). However, ventilation time and the mean length of ICU stay were higher in the Buckberg group (0.018 and 0.001, respectively). Moreover, the results indicated a more prominent reduction in left ventricular ejection fraction measured via trans-thoracic and trans-esophageal echocardiography in the Buckberg group compared to the del Nido group (13.7% versus 4.7%, P < 0.001 for trans-thoracic echocardiography). Conclusions: Del Nido cardioplegia solution exerted beneficial effects on myocardial protection evaluated by echocardiography compared to Buckberg in adult patients with preserved ejection fraction undergoing mitral valve surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several surgical procedures such as excision or exclusion are recommended for the closure of the left atrial appendage (LAA). This study was conducted with the aim to evaluate the success rate of different surgical techniques for LAA closure, their respective complications, and the rate of post-surgical cerebrovascular accident (CVA). Methods: This retrospective study included 150 consecutive patients who underwent LAA closure most commonly after mitral valve surgery within 3 to 6 months after surgery. An expert echocardiographic fellow collected the data on patients' surgical LAA closure methods and history of CVA, types of prosthetic valves, mortality, and bleeding. Results: The failure rate for complete LAA closure was 36.7% (55 patients) in our study. The greatest success rate of complete LAA closure was seen in purse-string method (75.5%), followed by resection method (71.4%), while the lowest success rate (? 33.3%) was observed in ligation method. A significant relationship was observed between clots on the surface of metallic valve and postoperative CVA (P = 0.001; likelihood ratio: 32). In multivariate analysis, there was also no statistically significant relationship between partial LAA closure and the incidence of post-surgical CVA (P > 0.050). Conclusion: We observed the highest success rate of complete LAA closure in purse-string method followed by resection method. Interestingly, our results showed that despite the higher rate of residual LAA clot in cases of partial LAA closure, the occurrence of post-surgical CVA was mostly related to the presence of clots on the surface of metallic mitral prostheses rather than the presence of partial LAA closure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Various left atrium (LA) and left atrial appendage (LAA) anatomies and functions could be associated with embolic events. Aims and Objectives: We aimed to investigate the impact of variation in LAA and LA functions on the occurrence of systemic embolization in normal sinus rhythm and normal echocardiography findings. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 22 patients with documented peripheral emboli versus 32 control subjects. Results: LA area, LAA area, ejection fraction (EF) of LA/LAA, LAA velocity and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) of LA walls, left ventricular diastolic function, and EF were determined. There were statistically significant differences between LAA area, LAA EF, TDI of lateral LA wall, and TDI of anterior LA wall in cases versus controls. Conclusion: Echocardiography findings in LAA and LA functions could help to identify high-risk patients for embolic events in normal sinus rhythm cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recent advances in the early detection and management of breast cancer have conferred longer patient survival. Breast irradiation-induced cardiotoxicity has been associated with a decrease in the echocardiographic markers of myocardial function and an increase in cardiac mortality. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the cardiac effects of radiotherapy on patients with breast cancer based on cancer laterality. Methods: The present study assessed the records of 72 consecutive women with breast cancer who were referred to the Cardio-Oncology Department of Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center between April 2017 and September 2020 and had baseline echocardiographic examinations and at least one follow-up echocardiographic examination within the first year of the initial examination. The patients were divided into left- and right-sided breast cancer groups to compare the results. The two groups were compared regarding the means of 2D Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF), 3D LVEF, Global Longitudinal Strain (GLS), and Global Circumferential Strain (GCS) before and after radiotherapy. Analysis of Covariance (one-way ANCOVA) was used to compare the results (α = 0.05). All analyses were carried out using the SPSS software, version 26. Results: The changes in the means of 2D-LVEF, 3D-LVEF, GLS, and GCS were statistically significant among all the patients irrespective of cancer laterality (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P = 0.001, and P = 0.002, respectively). However, no significant differences were observed between the left- and right-sided breast cancer groups vis-à-vis the means of 2D-LVEF, 3D-LVEF, GLS, and GCS (P = 0.44, P = 0.65, P = 0.21, and P = 0.25, respectively). Conclusions: The study results showed significant declines in the means of 2D-LVEF, 3D-LVEF, GLS, and GCS following radiotherapy. The patients with right-sided breast cancer exhibited a significant decrease in all the mentioned measures, whereas those with left-sided breast cancer showed no significant decline in post-radiotherapy speckletracking parameters. In addition, comparison of the patients with left- and right-sided breast cancers revealed no significant difference in the echocardiographic parameters of cardiotoxicity regarding cancer laterality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]