HACEK organisms represent a rare but important group of causative pathogens in endocarditis. These bacteria have historically been associated with culture-negative endocarditis;however, modern laboratory techniques ha...HACEK organisms represent a rare but important group of causative pathogens in endocarditis. These bacteria have historically been associated with culture-negative endocarditis;however, modern laboratory techniques have made this less common. In this case, we present a 74-year-old man who presented with acute onset altered mentation, fever, and sepsis. He was ultimately found to have Haemophilus influenzae meningitis, cerebral empyema, aortic valve endocarditis, psoas myositis, and L2 - L3 diskitis with osteomyelitis. Although HACEK organisms are commonly found in the oropharynx and upper respiratory tract in humans, our patient did not report recent preceding dental or ENT procedures. H. influenzae is responsible for approximately 0.16% of all cases of bacterial endocarditis, representing a very limited subset. Although generally considered low virulent pathogens, this case demonstrates the unusual extent of infection from a HACEK organism, H. influenzae, causing aortic valve endocarditis as well as atypical non-cardiac sequelae, including acute meningitis.展开更多
Two classes of rate controlling medications—beta blockers (BBs) and non- dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (CCBs)—are given to patients who present with atrial fibrillation (AF) with rapid ventricular respons...Two classes of rate controlling medications—beta blockers (BBs) and non- dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (CCBs)—are given to patients who present with atrial fibrillation (AF) with rapid ventricular response (RVR). Both are Class I recommendations from the American Heart Association (AHA), American College of Cardiology (ACC), and Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) for the management of AF with RVR. Multiple studies support the view that diltiazem is more effective than metoprolol, even though data from the AFFIRM trial suggests BBs are more frequently used. CCBs are generally avoided in AF with RVR patients who have concomitant heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) for concern of triggering decompensation. However, some recent studies indicate this idea may be unfounded. The aim of this article is to compare the efficacy of diltiazem and metoprolol for rate control in AF with RVR and examine the use of diltiazem in patients with both AF with RVR and HFrEF.展开更多
文摘HACEK organisms represent a rare but important group of causative pathogens in endocarditis. These bacteria have historically been associated with culture-negative endocarditis;however, modern laboratory techniques have made this less common. In this case, we present a 74-year-old man who presented with acute onset altered mentation, fever, and sepsis. He was ultimately found to have Haemophilus influenzae meningitis, cerebral empyema, aortic valve endocarditis, psoas myositis, and L2 - L3 diskitis with osteomyelitis. Although HACEK organisms are commonly found in the oropharynx and upper respiratory tract in humans, our patient did not report recent preceding dental or ENT procedures. H. influenzae is responsible for approximately 0.16% of all cases of bacterial endocarditis, representing a very limited subset. Although generally considered low virulent pathogens, this case demonstrates the unusual extent of infection from a HACEK organism, H. influenzae, causing aortic valve endocarditis as well as atypical non-cardiac sequelae, including acute meningitis.
文摘Two classes of rate controlling medications—beta blockers (BBs) and non- dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (CCBs)—are given to patients who present with atrial fibrillation (AF) with rapid ventricular response (RVR). Both are Class I recommendations from the American Heart Association (AHA), American College of Cardiology (ACC), and Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) for the management of AF with RVR. Multiple studies support the view that diltiazem is more effective than metoprolol, even though data from the AFFIRM trial suggests BBs are more frequently used. CCBs are generally avoided in AF with RVR patients who have concomitant heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) for concern of triggering decompensation. However, some recent studies indicate this idea may be unfounded. The aim of this article is to compare the efficacy of diltiazem and metoprolol for rate control in AF with RVR and examine the use of diltiazem in patients with both AF with RVR and HFrEF.
