Faculty Bibliography

We report a case of Streptococcus mutans multivalvular infective endocarditis complicated by aortic root abscess and septic emboli in a 19-year-old male with a bicuspid aortic valve. This case illustrates the progression of untreated subacute bacterial endocarditis and highlights the importance of ongoing clinical suspicion for infective endocarditis in patients with underlying valvular defects.

Advances in the management of hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) have resulted in improved survival. However, short and long-term mortality in patients with a restrictive atrial septum remains high. All neonates diagnosed with HLHS from 2003 to 2010 at our institution were evaluated. Patients who underwent atrial septostomy within the first 72 h conformed the restrictive atrial septum group (HLHS-RS). Patients with a non-restrictive communication (HLHS-NRS) formed the control group. Outcomes and survival status were determined from review of medical records. Of the 141 newborns diagnosed with HLHS, 20 (14 %) required intervention for a restrictive atrial septum. Procedural success was achieved in 17/20 (85 %) patients. Complications occurred in ten procedures, two of which were life threatening. No procedural deaths occurred. Overall median follow up was 35.5 months (0.4-104). Initial hospitalization survival was 16/20 (80 %) for the HLHS-RS group and 114/121(94 %) for the HLHS-NRS (p = 0.028). Twenty (14 %) patients were lost to follow up and 9 (6 %) underwent heart transplant. Overall survival was 10/16 (62 %) for HLHSRS patients and 77/95 (81 %) for HLHS-NRS (p = 0.1). Survival after initial discharge was 10/12 (83 %) for the HLHS-RS group and 77/88 (87 %) for the HLHS-NRS (p = 0.67). No predictors for HLHS-RS outcome were identified. Mortality at first-stage palliation in HLHS neonates with a restrictive atrial septum remains higher than in those with an unrestrictive communication. However, survival after initial hospital discharge is similar.