Sudden death in Staphylococcus aureus-associated infective endocarditis due to perforation of a free-wall myocardial abscess

Free-wall myocardial abscess perforation with hemopericardium and sudden death is an extremely infrequent complication of infective endocarditis (IE). We describe a case of Staphylococcus aureus-associated native aortic and tricuspid valve endocarditis complicated by a septic myocardial infarction and abscess formation of embolic origin, with fatal rupture into the pericardium. To our knowledge, only 2 cases of myocardial abscess rupture have previously been reported in relation to IE.     

Myocardial abscess after silent myocardial infarction

A 73 year old male was hospitalised with fever of unknown origin and episodes with septic shock. During the in-hospital stay the clinical situation deteriorated rapidly, and E. coli was isolated from bloodcultures. All routine investigations revealed no specific abnormalities except for the electrocardiogram, which showed an old anterior-apical infarction although no history of cardiac disease was present. A CT-scan of the thorax and a scintigraphy using labelled autologous leucocytes made the diagnosis of a myocardial abscess, located in an apical aneurysm, probable. No other site of infection could be found and so it was decided to perform an aneurysmectomy with abscess evacuation in combination with extensive antibiotic treatment. After two years the patient is doing well. Only one case of survival has been reported before, also after surgical intervention. This underlines the importance of early diagnosis and aggressive therapy especially with regard to the reported high incidence of cardiac rupture.     

Asymptomatic myocardial abscess

This report describes a rare case of an asymptomatic myocardial abscess which was not associated with infective endocarditis but was diagnosed to be a tumor and treated by open-heart surgery. A 69-year-old patient without a history of endocarditis or myocardial infarction was submitted to invasive cardiac diagnostics after an embolic event in the brachial artery. Investigation revealed an "intracardiac tumor" and the patient subsequently underwent open-heart surgery. After cardiotomy the suggested tumor was found in the posterior wall of the left atrium adjacent to the mitral ring, appearing as a circumscribed, indurated, and plane area. After incision for biopsy, a cheesy pus emptied from a cavity. The tissue sections showed an intramural myocardial abscess. Because of the extent, location and the character of the abscess, the cavity was closed after rinsing using mattress sutures. The postoperative course was uncomplicated. This report demonstrates that in suspected cardiac tumors a myocardial abscess should be considered in any differential diagnosis despite the rarity of the event, since the diagnosis of the myocardial abscess is not an absolute indication for surgical intervention.     

A Rare Case of Aspergillus Pericarditis with Associated Myocardial Abscess and Echocardiographic Response to Therapy

Myocardial abscess is an extremely rare entity and is often deadly in nature. We present a case of a patient with recent orthotopic liver transplant, on immunosuppression, who presented with cardiac tamponade due to Aspergillus fumigatus pericarditis and associated myocardial abscess. The diagnosis was made based on computed tomography imaging, culture of pericardial fluid for Aspergillus, and transthoracic echocardiography. The patient received antifungal therapy with clinical improvement and documented reduction in abscess size based on repeat echocardiogram. Aspergillus myocardial abscess is an extremely rare diagnosis but should be considered in an immunosuppressed patient presenting with pericardial effusion or ventricular mass.     

Contrast echocardiography for detection of incomplete rupture of the left ventricle after acute myocardial infarction

Myocardial rupture is a major complication after acute myocardial infarction. With complete rupture of the free left ventricular wall cardiac tamponade occurs with fatal outcome in most cases. With partial rupture, however, hemorrhage is slower, allowing days or weeks for diagnosis. Survival of these patients strongly depends on early recognition of this complication followed by immediate surgical intervention. Echocardiography is the diagnostic tool of choice to detect myocardial rupture with consecutive hemopericardium but diagnosis remains difficult even if suspected.We describe the case of a patient with inferior infarction who presented with cardiogenic shock, echocardiographic signs of pericardial effusion and abnormal motion and myocardial irregularities of the inferior wall. With Doppler echocardiography no flow across the wall was detected. Left heart contrast echocardiography confirmed the diagnosis of suspected myocardial rupture by clear deliniation of the defect. Immediate surgical repair was successfully performed in this patient with favorable long-term outcome. Thus, echocardiography early after acute myocardial infarction is useful in detecting subsequent complications and the use of contrast echocardiography should be considered in suspected myocardial rupture.     

Myocardial rupture in acute myocardial infarction: case report and review of the literature

Our patient demonstrates why the diagnosis of myocardial rupture is often mistaken for an extension of a myocardial infarction. Our case further suggests, as supported in the literature, that myocardial rupture is not an abrupt event. With close monitoring in patients with high risks, it is possible, especially with use of echocardiograms, to make an early diagnosis. Once the diagnosis is made, aggressive surgical therapy should be undertaken. With the advances in cardiovascular surgery, the prognosis of cardiac rupture is vastly improved. Long-term prognosis for patients surviving surgical repair after myocardial rupture is excellent. However, one should keep in mind the importance of preventive therapy such as treatment of systolic hypertension on admission to the coronary care unit.     

Diagnosis and successful management of septal myocardial abscess: a complication of bacterial endocarditis

A case of acute enterococcal aortic valve endocarditis is presented in which the complication of a septal myocardial abscess was diagnosed clinically and successfully treated surgically. This represents the first instant, to our knowledge, in which the preoperative diagnosis of a myocardial abscess served as the indication for emergency cardiac surgical intervention in active endocarditis with successful outcome. The diagnostic parameters permitting clinical recognition of a myocardial abscess include the development of advancing degrees of atrioventricular and bundle branch block, and the finding of pericarditis or pericardial effusion in aortic valvular infections. Two additional findings were noted in the present case: echocardiographic evidence of septal thickening, and loss of septal Q waves on the electrocardiogram. Since myocardial abscesses do not respond to medical therapy, continuous electrocardiographic monitoring and frequent echocardiographic determinations are recommended in cases of active aortic valve endocarditis to permit early diagnosis and surgical management of this complication.     

急性ST段抬高心肌梗死中心脏破裂的认识

目的：研究对急性ST段抬高心肌梗死中心脏破裂的认识。方法选择2010年10月-2011年12月,我院收治的急性ST段抬高心肌梗死患者150例,对患者的心脏破裂进行诊断,并根据诊断结果将150例患者分成12例心脏破裂组,138例无心脏破裂组。观察两组患者的性别,年龄,治疗使用的方法。结果在心脏破裂中,年龄、性别,治疗方法的不同对其均有影响（P〈0.05）。结论心脏破裂是急性ST段抬高心肌梗死中最严重的并发症,了解急性ST段抬高心肌梗死中出现心脏破裂的因素,为临床医生在治疗时提供有利依据,延长患者的生命。     

A serial echocardiographic study of myocardial abscess in a patient surviving staphylococcal septicemia

2D echocardiography was performed on a 4-year-old child suffering from right thigh abscess due to MRSA infection following diagnosis of pericardial effusion by USG abdomen. It revealed myocardial abscess and pericardial effusion. This child underwent series of 2D echocardiographic studies which showed image appearance of myocardial abscess with its time course of healing.     

Papillary Muscle Rupture Following Non‐ST‐Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Case Report

Papillary muscle rupture is a serious mechanical complication of acute myocardial infarction typically seen within 5–7 days following transmural ST‐elevation myocardial infarction. The incidence of papillary muscle rupture has markedly decreased in the modern era due to improved diagnosis and early coronary revascularization of ST‐elevation myocardial infarction. As a result, papillary muscle rupture is increasingly seen following non‐ST‐elevation myocardial infarction where both diagnosis and revascularization can be delayed. In this report, we describe two cases of papillary muscle rupture following delayed presentation of non‐ST‐elevation myocardial infarction and delayed recognition of papillary muscle rupture.     

Role of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in detecting early adverse remodeling and subacute ventricular wall rupture complicating myocardial infarction

Ventricular free wall rupture is a catastrophic complication of acute myocardial infarction accounting for a significant proportion of in-patient deaths. Various imaging modalities including two-dimensional and contrast echocardiography have been applied for the early diagnosis of free wall rupture. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging has recently gained favor as a tool providing accurate diagnosis and visualization of the site of rupture to enable planned surgery. We present a case of subacute free wall rupture where contrast enhanced myocardial resonance imaging helped to delineate the location and extent of the myocardial tear, thereby prompting appropriate surgical intervention.     

Myocardial rupture following acute myocardial infarction

Ten patients, eight males and two females, suffered myocardial rupture following acute myocardial infarction and required surgery. There were five ventricular septal ruptures, four papillary muscle ruptures and one free wall rupture. Ventricular septal rupture was suspected clinically by the appearance of a new systolic murmur, usually associated with a thrill at the left sternal border. A left to right shunt was confirmed by bedside oximetry using a Swan-Ganz catheter. The mean pulmonary to systemic flow ratio was 3.04:1. Following cardiac catheterization all patients underwent corrective surgery with or without aortocoronary bypass grafting. Three patients with inferior wall myocardial infarction died. Papillary muscle rupture was suspected clinically following the abrupt onset of hypotension with severe acute pulmonary edema accompanied by a new systolic murmur. The diagnosis was confirmed by cardiac catheterization. All underwent surgery for mitral valve replacement with or without aortocoronary bypass grafting. One patient died postoperatively of multiorgan failure. Free wall rupture was suspected clinically by the sudden onset of loss of consciousness, apnea, junctional bradycardia and severe hypotension leading to electromechanical dissociation. The diagnosis was confirmed by demonstrating a significant pericardial effusion by two dimensional echocardiography. Immediate surgery was performed. This patient is totally asymptomatic on no drug treatment six months following discharge. Ten patients underwent emergency surgery for myocardial rupture. Operative mortality was 40%. Patients with ventricular septal rupture associated with an inferior myocardial infarction had a poor prognosis.     

Amebic Peritonitis

A total of 18 patients with amebic peritonitis were studied. Fourteen of these cases were due to rupture of amebic liver abscess into the peritoneum and the remaining cases were due to perforation of amebic colitis. No initial suspicion of amebic etiology was made in more than half of the cases. In the group of ruptured liver abscesses, nearly half of the patients showed right lower lung syndrome. The diagnosis in 13 of 14 cases of rupture of liver abscess was confirmed on aspiration.
Patients with ruptured amebic liver abscess were of two types: 1. Diffuse type with diffuse signs, shorter duration of illness and poor prognosis. 2. Localized type with longer duration of illness, marked signs of peritonitis and better prognosis.     

Posterior Mitral Abscess With Bypass Grafting Before Annulus Reconstruction: A Case Report

A posterior mitral annular abscess is a rare but severe complication of endocarditis which requires careful surgical intervention. The debridement and reconstruction can cause fatal complications such as left atrioventricular groove rupture, coronary artery entrapment, and acute myocardial infarction. We report on a 60-year-old woman who developed acute infective endocarditis of her native mitral valve complicated by a posterior annular abscess, and who underwent precautionary bypass grafting to a dominant circumflex coronary artery before extensive atrioventricular groove debridement and reconstruction.     

Ultrasonographic features of amoebic abscess: Study in 59 patients

Sonographic examination was carried out in 59 patients with a clinical diagnosis of amoebic liver abscess during the previous 4 years (January 1982 to December 1985). The amoebic liver abscess was located in the right lobe in 45 patients, in the left lobe in eight patients, and in both lobes in six patients. The ultrasonic diagnosis was confirmed in the majority of patients by the indirect haemaglutination test (titres 1:512 or greater) coupled with excellent response to metronidazole, or by ultrasonic-guided percutaneous aspiration producing anchovy sauce pus.
The sonographic patterns of the abscess were evaluated. All patients had well-defined hypoechoic lesions near the surface, which demonstrated fine homogeneous low-level echoes throughout at a normal and a high-gain setting, without a peripheral echo-free halo. The configuration of the abscess was round, oval or lobulated. The walls were irregular in 53 patients, and showed a slight distal sonic enhancement. This ultrasonic feature is suggestive of amoebic liver abscess. The specific ultrasonographic features of amoebic liver abscess, combined with a feature of pleural effusion, pericardial effusion, or an abdominal abscess, were suggestive of the complications of liver abscess found in 19 patients.
It is concluded that ultrasonography is a valuable aid in the diagnosis of amoebic liver abscess. It is of value not only for detection, but also for determination of the site, depth, size, and location of the complicating rupture of the abscess.     

Haematogenous brain abscess complicating a case of Austrian syndrome

Austrian syndrome includes pneumococcal endocarditis, meningitis and rupture of the aortic valve. This study reports a case with a haematogenous brain abscess. Physicians should be aware of the risk factors and dramatic evolution of this rare disease, to avoid delays in diagnosis, and to prevent embolic complications and rupture of the aortic valve.     

Ventricular free-wall rupture after myocardial infarction. Treatment and outcome

Ventricular free-wall rupture remains one of the leading causes of death after myocardial infarction (MI). With increased abilities for diagnosis and resuscitation techniques, surgical correction of free-wall myocardial defects resulting from ischemia and necrosis may become a simple modality of treatment, resulting in improvement of the survival rate. We are reporting our experience with four patients with ventricular free-wall rupture after MI, with emphasis on clinical presentation, diagnosis, and surgical management.     

Diagnosis of Myocardial Abscess After Acute Myocardial Infarction by Transesophageal Echocardiography: Case Report and Short Review of Published Data

A 56-year-old man received thrombolysis for an anterior myocardial infarction after chest pain for 18 hours. Ten days later he was readmitted with fever and hemodynamic deterioration. Transesophageal echocardiography demonstrated a thin-walled cavity at the apex of the left ventricle. At operation he was found to have a myocardial abscess, and after excision and antibiotics his subsequent clinical course was uneventful. We review the echocardiographic diagnosis and clinical features of myocardial abscess complicating acute infarction. Presumed etiologic factors in our patient included late thrombolysis, mural thrombus, and poor dental hygiene leading to septicaemia.     

老年急性心肌梗死并发室间隔穿孔7例临床分析

目的分析急性心肌梗死（AMI）并发室间隔穿孔的临床病例特点,为该并发症的早期诊断和治疗提供依据。方法对7例室间隔穿孔患者的临床特征、治疗和预后进行回顾性分析。结果AMI并室间隔穿孔患者室间隔破裂穿孔常发生于前壁心肌梗死的患者,穿孔部位多位于室间隔近心尖部。高危因素包括高血压、年龄（60～69岁）、女性、缺乏侧支循环和广泛前壁透壁性心肌梗死和右室梗死（常可导致低血压）、无心绞痛病史。患者多存在房性快速型心律失常,新出现右束支传导阻滞提示预后严重不良。室间隔破裂的预后很差。内科保守治疗的院内死亡率高。结论注重体征及尽早行超声心动检查是早期诊断该并发症的关键,进行积极的内科治疗并力争外科手术的机会能降低死亡率。     

Contained rupture of left ventricular false aneurysm after acute myocardial infarction secondary to left anterior descending artery embolism

Left ventricular free wall rupture is a rare complication of acute myocardial infarction and accounts for a significant number of fatalities. Pseudoaneurysm is a variety of left ventricular rupture whereby the pericardium seals the defect, forming the wall of the pseudoaneurysm. The diagnosis is usually confirmed with echocardiography, and emergent surgical repair is required in suspected impending rupture. The present report describes the case of a 58-year-old woman who presented with a myocardial infarction due to distal left anterior descending artery occlusion, complicated by ventricular pseudoaneurysm with impending rupture. The patient had an otherwise normal coronary tree.