Echocardiographic and Computed-tomographic Evaluation of the Fate of Bovine Pericardial Patch as a Pericardial Substitute in Bentall’s Procedure: Twenty-year’ Results

Objective: The study was designed to ascertain the influence of usage of bovine pericardial patch in patients undergoing Bentall’s procedure with respect to reexploration for bleeding, mediastinal infection, avoidance of conduit adhesions, late development of pericardial constriction and calcification. Materials and Methods: We reviewed 150 patients (79 males) aged between 22 to 68 years (mean±SD 49.25±12.9 years) receiving a composite aortic conduit between January 1998 to December 2020 for annuloaortic ectasia (n=100), aortic dissection (n=49), and dilated aortic root in repaired tetralogy of Fallot (n=1). Twenty-five patients had Marfan’s syndrome. Modified “button technique” was performed by interposing a glutaraldehyde treated pericardial strip at the graft coronary anastomoses, and proximal aortic conduit suturing using interlocking interrupted, pledgeted mattress suture. On completion, the pericardial cavity was reconstructed using St. Jude Medical Biocor pericardial patch. To detect evidence of pericardial constriction, survivors underwent echocardiography and computed tomography. The Kaplan-Meier curve was drawn to show the probability of survival over a period of follow-up time. Results: Seven (4.7%) patients died of cardiac-related cause, 45% had transient hemodynamic instability, 55% had low cardiac output, and 87.1% had spontaneous return of sinus rhythm. The average 12-hour postoperative drainage was 245±70 ml and there was no mediastinal infection. At a mean follow-up of 172.4 (SD± 58.9) months, the actuarial survival was 94.2±0.04% (95% CI: 88.5-96.8), and there was no pericardial constriction or calcification. Conclusion: Reconstruction of pericardial cavity using Biocor bovine pericardial patch minimizes diffuse oozing of blood, graft infection, and is not associated with later development of pericardial constriction, or calcification.

Individualizing the use of [18F]FDG-PET/CT in patients with complicated Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia: experiences from a tertiary care center

Purpose [18F]FDG-PET/CT scanning can help detect metastatic infectious foci and reduce mortality in patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB), but it is unknown if patients with SAB and an indication for prolonged treatment because of possible endovascular, orthopaedic implant, or other metastatic infection still need [18F]FDG-PET/CT. Methods In a retrospective single-center cohort study, we included all consecutive adult patients with SAB between 2013 and 2020 if an [18F]FDG-PET/CT scan was performed and antibiotic treatment was planned for ≥ 6 weeks prior to [18F]FDG-PET/CT. We aimed to identify patients for whom treatment was adjusted due to the results of [18F]FDG-PET/CT, and assessed concordance of [18F]FDG-PET/CT and clinical diagnosis for infected prosthetic material. Results Among 132 patients included, the original treatment plan was changed after [18F]FDG-PET/CT in 22 patients (16.7%), in the majority (n = 20) due to diagnosing or rejecting endovascular (graft) infection. Antibiotic treatment modifications were shortening in 2, iv-oral switch in 3, extension in 13, and addition of rifampicin in 4 patients. Ninety additional metastatic foci based on [18F]FDG-PET/CT results were found in 69/132 patients (52.3%). [18F]FDG-PET/CT suggested vascular graft infection in 7/14 patients who lacked clinical signs of infection, but showed no infection of prosthetic joints or osteosynthesis material in eight patients who lacked clinical signs of such an infection. Conclusion [18F]FDG-PET/CT can help refine treatment for SAB in patients with clinically suspected endovascular infection or vascular grafts, even if 6 weeks treatment is already indicated, but can be safely omitted in other patients who are clinically stable.

Tobramycin Supplemented Small-Diameter Vascular Grafts for Local Antibiotic Delivery: A Preliminary Formulation Study

Peripheral artery occlusive disease is an emerging cardiovascular disease characterized by the blockage of blood vessels in the limbs and is associated with dysfunction, gangrene, amputation, and a high mortality risk. Possible treatments involve by-pass surgery using autologous vessel grafts, because of the lack of suitable synthetic small-diameter vascular prosthesis. One to five percent of patients experience vascular graft infection, with a high risk of haemorrhage, spreading of the infection, amputation and even death. In this work, an infection-proof vascular graft prototype was designed and manufactured by electrospinning 12.5% w/v poly-L-lactic-co-glycolic acid solution in 75% v/v dichloromethane, 23.8% v/v dimethylformamide and 1.2% v/v water, loaded with 0.2% w/wPLGA. Polymer and tobramycin concentrations were selected after viscosity and surface tension and after HPLC-UV encapsulation efficiency (EE%) evaluation, respectively. The final drug-loaded prototype had an EE% of 95.58% ± 3.14%, with smooth fibres in the nanometer range and good porosity; graft wall thickness was 291 ± 20.82 μm and its internal diameter was 2.61 ± 0.05 mm. The graft’s antimicrobic activity evaluation through time-kill assays demonstrated a significant and strong antibacterial activity over 5 days against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. An indirect cell viability assay on Normal Human Dermal Fibroblasts (NHDF) confirmed the cytocompatibility of the grafts.

Small bowel perforation with iliac artery prosthesis stump

Aim: In this case we report an unusual complication after retroperitoneal formation of an iliac artery prosthesis-stump – a bowel perforation and sepsis. Case report: During the open urology surgery a right external iliac artery was iatrogenic injured and iliofemoral bypass grafting was performed. Eight months thereafter, due to an inguinal site graft infection and graft occlusion, the distal part of the prosthesis was transacted and removed, and the proximal, retroperitoneal part, was closed and over sewn in the zone without any sign of infection present. This prosthesis-stump caused a very unusual complication – a small bowel perforation three months thereafter. Conclusion: The whole retroperitoneal graft should always be removed with no stump formation to avoid this complication.

Post penetrating keratoplasty infectious keratitis: Clinico-microbiological profile and predictors of outcome

Purpose To study the clinico-microbiological profile, outcomes and prognostic factors of post penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) infectious keratitis. Methods Retrospective review of medical records of 78 patients with post PKP infectious keratitis presenting between January 2014 and December 2018. Demographic, clinical and microbiological profile was documented and predictors of treatment and graft success were evaluated using univariate and subsequent multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results Mean age of patients was 52.17 ± 15.51 years and mean infiltrate size was 19.39 ± 19.68 mm2. Mean duration of presentation with infection post PKP was 11.66 ± 10.65 months. Culture positivity was seen in 64 eyes (82.05%). Bacterial growth was observed in 47 eyes (60.25%), fungal growth in 17 (21.79%) and no microbiological growth in 14 eyes (17.94%). At 3 months the visual acuity (VA) improved in 37 eyes (47.44%), did not change in 27 (34.62%) and deteriorated in 14 (17.95%). Graft failure was noted in 53 eyes (73.08%). Surgical intervention was needed in 47 (60.25%) eyes of which most common was therapeutic PKP in 32 eyes (41.02%). Treatment failure was noted with fungal infection ( p = 0.05), poorer vision at presentation ( p = 0.02), larger infiltrate area ( p = 0.002) and graft infection developing before 1 year ( p = 0.02). Graft failure was noted with associated endophthalmitis ( p = 0.02), poorer VA at presentation ( p = 0.01) and larger infiltrate area ( p = 0.02). Conclusion Post PKP infectious keratitis is a sight threatening ocular condition. It is associated with high incidence of graft failure and frequently requires surgical intervention. Fungal etiology, larger infiltrate size, poorer vision at presentation and associated endophthalmitis carries a poorer prognosis.

A Rare Case of Aortoenteric Graft Erosion Presenting as Candida glabrata Fungemia

Background. An aortoenteric fistula (AEF) describes a communication of the aorta or aortic graft with an adjacent loop of the bowel. Aortic graft erosion is a rare complication of abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. We describe a case of a patient presenting with sepsis from Candida glabrata fungemia secondary to aortoenteric erosion without any symptoms or signs of gastrointestinal bleeding. This is a unique case of Candida glabrata fungemia from aortoenteric graft erosion. Case Summary. This patient is a 75-year-old male with a history of a prior aortobifemoral bypass graft in 2005. He presented with complaints of right paraspinal pain and chills. He had no symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding or abdominal pain. His white blood cell count was 25,600/mcl (4,000–11,000/mcL) with left shift. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was 11 mm/hr (0-38 mm/hr), and C-reactive protein was 95.5 mg/L (<=10.0 mg/L). Blood cultures were obtained and eventually grew Candida glabrata. A computed tomography angiogram (CTA) of abdomen and pelvis demonstrated inflammation surrounding the graft concerning for graft infection with additional inflammatory changes tracking down both femoral limbs. He underwent staged bilateral femoralaxillary bypass followed by the excision of aortobifemoral bypass. Conclusion. Patients with aortoenteric erosion can present with sepsis in absence of gastrointestinal bleeding. Emergent computed tomography angiogram (CTA) of abdomen and pelvis should be performed to assess for aortic graft erosion or fistula. Empiric treatment with antibiotics should include antifungal agent like micafungin until the final culture is reported. The definite management is an extra anatomic bypass, followed by graft excision.