Background: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a feared complication after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR)/transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI). It is not certain which procedure carries a higher risk. Our aim was to assess the risk of IE after SAVR/TAVI. Methods: We conducted an observational study of a prospective cohort, including patients with TAVI/SAVR, from March 2015 to December 2020. IE was defined according to the modified Duke’s criteria. IE occurring during the first 12 months of the procedure was considered early IE, and an episode occurring after 12 months was considered late IE. The propensity score was designed to include variables previously associated with TAVI/SAVR and IE. An inverse probability of treatment weight was generated. Results: In total, 355 SAVR and 278 TAVI were included. Median follow-up, 38 vs. 41 months, p = 0.550. IE occurred in 5 SAVR (1.41%, 95% CI 0.2–2.6) vs. 13 TAVI (4.65%, 95% CI 2.2–7.2), p = 0.016. TAVI patients had more frequent early IE (3.2% vs. 0.3%, p = 0.006). In the PS analyses, IE risk did not differ: OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.32–1.32. Factors associated with TAVI IE included younger age (74y vs. 83y, p = 0.030), complicated diabetes mellitus (38.5% vs. 6.8%, p = 0.002), COPD (46.2% vs. 16.3%, p = 0.015), advanced heart failure (100% vs. 52.9%, p < 0.001), and peripheral arteriopathy (61.5% vs. 26.7%, p = 0.011). Conclusions: Early IE was higher with TAVI, but in the PS analyses, the risk attributable to each procedure was similar. Studies are needed to identify and optimize the risk factors of IE prior to TAVI.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a feared life-threatening complication that requires a multidisciplinary approach. Although a variety of microorganisms have caused IE, Brevundimonas aurantiaca human infection has never been reported previously. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of endocarditis and human infection due to B. aurantiaca.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to analyse early- and long-term outcomes of aortic valve reimplantation (David operation) in patients with heritable thoracic aortic disease. METHODS: This is a retrospective observational analysis using data from a prospectively maintained surgical database from March 2004 to April 2021. Patients with heritable thoracic aortic disease were included in the study. RESULTS: A total of 157 patients with aortic root aneurysm with the diagnosis of heritable thoracic aortic disease received the David procedure. Marfan syndrome was found in 143 (91.1%) patients, Loeys-Dietz in 13 and Ehler-Danlos in 1 patient. The median age was 35.0 (IQR: 17.5) years and the median ascending aorta diameter in the Valsalva sinuses was 48 mm (IQR: 4). A Valsalva graft was used in 8 patients; the David V technique was performed in the rest of the cases. The median follow-up time was 7.3 years [standard deviation: 0.58, 95% confidence interval (CI): 6.12–8.05]. Only 2 patients died during the follow-up period. The overall survival was 99% (95% CI: 95%; 99%); 98% (95% CI: 92%; 99%); and 98% (95% CI: 92%; 99%) at 5, 10 and 15 years. Freedom from significant aortic regurgitation (AR> II), reintervention and postoperative type-B dissection was 90% (95% CI: 77%; 95%), 96% (95% CI: 91%; 99%) and 87% (95% CI: 68%; 95%) at 15 years, respectively. No differences were found in any outcome between Marfan syndrome and Loeys-Dietz syndrome. No statistically significant differences in survival were found when we compared expected gender- and age-specific population survival values. CONCLUSIONS: The David operation is an excellent option for the treatment of patients with heritable thoracic aortic disease and dilatated aortic root. Surgical expertise in referral centres is essential to achieve the best long-term results.

OBJECTIVES: Infective endocarditis with intervalvular fibrosa involvement is a life-threatening condition. Fibrous skeleton reconstructive options encompass variants of the ‘Commando’ operation dictated by surgical findings. We aim to review the characteristics and outcomes of patients undergoing different iterations of this operation. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of patients who underwent intervalvular fibrosa reconstruction in the setting of acute infective endocarditis at 2 national referral centres from April 2014 to November 2023. Patients were divided into 2 groups, regarding the extent of surgery at the aortic root level: non-ROOT (‘Commando’) and ROOT (Root-‘Commando’: commando with root replacement). RESULTS: Seventy-eight patients were included; 30 (38.5%) in the ROOT group and 48 (61.5%) the non-ROOT group. There were no differences in perioperative mortality, postoperative complications and follow-up reoperations or reinfections. There were no relapses in both groups. Median follow-up was 4.69 years (95% CI 3.10–5.13). Overall, in-hospital and/or 30-day mortality was 14 (17.9%), without differences between groups. Overall survival rates at 1 and 5 years were 76.2% and 67.2%, respectively. Overall survival was 74%, 74% and 68% in the non-ROOT group and 79%, 79% and 63% in the ROOT group, respectively, at 1, 2 and 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Variants of the ‘Commando’ operation offer stable cardiac fibrous skeleton reconstructions to patients without alternative repair options. Provided that surgical reconstruction is achieved, there are no differences in early and mid-term outcomes based on the use of root replacement. Absence of relapses can be achieved with these techniques.

Extended septal myectomy and alcohol septal ablation are 2 invasive treatments for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy. Our goal was to compare which of these techniques achieved a higher reduction in gradients, improvement in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class and reduction in medical treatment. It is a single-centre observational and retrospective analysis. We used multivariable regression analyses to assess the association of ablation/myectomy with different outcomes. The odds ratio or coefficient along with the 95% confidence interval was estimated according to the group and adjusted for the corresponding preprocedural variables and EuroSCORE II. A total of 78 patients underwent septal myectomy, and 25 patients underwent alcohol septal ablation. Basal and Valsalva gradients after myectomy were reduced to a higher degree in comparison to ablation: 21.0 mmHg [P < 0.001, 95% confidence interval -30.7; -11.3], and 34.3 mmHg (P < 0.001, -49.1; -19.5) respectively. Those patients who received a myectomy had a lower probability of having moderate mitral regurgitation (odds ratio = 0.18, P = 0.054). Patients after septal myectomy were more likely to be NYHA functional class I (80.4%), whereas patients after ablation were more likely to be NYHA functional class III (48%). Both groups continued with beta-blocker therapy, but disopyramide could be discontinued after the myectomy in more cases (20%–36% vs 59%–1.3%; P < 0.001), and there was a tendency to discontinue calcium channel blockers (48%–16% vs 15.4–3.8%; P = 0.054). After adjustment using preprocedural gradients and EuroSCORE II, myectomy achieves greater reduction in left ventricular outflow tract gradients compared to septal ablation.

Objectives: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a feared and life-threatening complication, requiring a multidisciplinary approach. Prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) accounts for 20–30% of IE, is one of the most severe forms of IE, and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. We aim to compare and analyze baseline characteristics, microbiology, clinical presentation, complications, and prognosis between biological and mechanical PVE; we also carried out a subgroup analysis of patients aged 45–65 at the time of onset of prosthetic surgery. Methods: The present study is a post hoc analysis of a prospective multicenter cohort of patients with PVE between January 2008 and December 2023. Patients were divided into two groups regarding the type of prosthesis, mechanical vs. biological. Results: A total of 1544 patients were included. 733 (47.47%) patients with mechanical PVE (mPVE) and 811 (52.52) with biological PVE (bPVE). We found that bPVE appeared earlier than mPVE, had more healthcare-related infections and paravalvular complications. Both groups had similar clinical presentations; moreover, there was no difference in surgical indication and if surgery was performed. On the other hand, mPVE has a higher incidence of Staphylococcus aureus (SA) and Gram-negative bacteria, while bPVE has more coagulase-negative staphylococci. Multivariable logistic regression identified the following independent risk factors of mortality: EuroSCORE I, age, mPVE, SA, IE comprising two valves, and severe sepsis. mPVE had a higher mortality on admission, probably due to a higher incidence of septic shock and CNS embolism. The subgroup analysis of patients between 45 and 65 years at the time of prosthesis implantation showed similar results. Conclusions: The present analysis shows that bPVE appears earlier than mPVE, even in the subgroup of patients aged 45–65. bPVE has more healthcare-related infections and more paravalvular complications. After adjusting for baseline differences, mPVE had higher in-hospital mortality.