Timing of Surgery in Endocarditis Patient Presenting with Intracranial Haemorrhage, To Do or Not To Do?

Abstract

Introduction

Intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) is not uncommon as a complication of infective endocarditis (IE). However, the presence of intracranial haemorrhage would represent as a challenge to surgical intervention. Cardiac surgery intervention carries the potential risk of neurological deterioration perioperatively. Furthermore, the optimal timing of surgery Has been largly debated, and reports on operative outcomes for such cases are scarce.

Case presentation

Here we report a 41-year-old patient presented with neurologic symptoms caused by ICH secondary to multiple brain infarcts. Investigations led to the diagnosis of infective endocarditis which has later complicated with severe Aortic valve regurgitation (AR). Multi-disciplinary team decision was to proceed with urgent Aortic valve replacement. Early surgery within 48 hours was successful with no deterioration in neurological status.

Conclusion

Though Guidelines recommend delayed surgery in IE with ICH, it is a luxury that we can't always afford. Early surgery when indicated can be performed safely without neurological deterioration. However, optimal timing should be considered on an individual basis.

Keywords

Infective endocarditis, Intracranial hemorrhage, Cerebrovascular complication, Aortic valve, Cardiac surgery, Aortic regurgitation

Introduction

Intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) is a known potential complication of infective endocarditis (IE) affecting around 5-7% of cases [1,2]. Though surgery is indicated in severe aortic valve regurgitation due to endocarditis according to the ESC guidelines [3], that is not always plain sailing. Particularly in cases of endocarditis with intracranial haemorrhage where proceeding with cardiac surgery should be weighed against perioperative risks and postoperative prognosis. Furthermore, though surgery is indicated in acute aortic regurgitation (AR), the timing of surgery should be carefully addressed. While some authors advised against early surgery within seven days of onset [4], others advocated early surgical intervention [5].

We present our approach in a patient developed acute AR secondary to IE, who presented initially with neurological features due to ICH and multiple brain infarcts.

Case Report

A 41-year-old male presented to a local hospital with sudden onset of visual disturbance, acute headache, and left arm weakness. Apart from a recent history of recurrent fevers he is generally fit and well with no significant past medical history. Un urgent head CT scan (Figure 1) revealed a focus of acute intra-parenchymal bleed in the right parietal region (19 × 17 mm) with an ischaemic wedge-shaped hypodensity in the right hemi-cerebellum. After neurosurgical referral, patient was managed conservatively for intracranial haemorrhage (ICH) with plan to repeat scan next morning.

Brain CT angiogram the following day showed that the parietal haematoma increased in size (22 × 24 mm). No convincing cause of ICH (aneurysm or vascular malformation neither in anterior nor in posterior circulation) was observed and the main cause of this acute bleed remained unclear. Clinically, apart from slight shortness of breath (SOB), the patient haemodynamically was still stable without medical support, with Oxygen saturation 99%. Looking for the reason of ICH, later on the day, a head MRI was done (Figure 2). This showed multiple acute infarcts including a large haemorrhagic infarct in the right parital region and acute infarction of the splenium of the corpus callosum. Due to these multiple infarcts and in view of the history of fever and SOB, a transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was done and revealed severe AR and possible vegetation. SOB was getting worse and Oxygen requirement was increasing requiring transfer to our hospital intensive care unit. Transoesophageal echo (TOE) confirmed an aortic vegetations involving all 3 cusps, severe AR with maintained left ventricular systolic function. Chest & abdomen CT scan showed bilateral pleural effusion, with multiple splenic and hepatic infarcts.

Though it is now ascertained that his ICH and brain infarcts are secondary to aortic valve IE, the source of endocarditis is yet unknown. He had a history of swollen right shoulder recently, with unsuccessful attempt of aspiration by rheumatologist. His dentition is good, attending dentist regularly. Blood cultures indicated methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) as the causative agent of endocarditis. He was started on flucloxacillin and gentamicin which was replaced later with ciprofloxacin. Although he was alert oriented with the same degree of left arm weakness, he started to become gradually tachycardic, tachypnoeic unable to complete a full sentence with further increasing Oxygen requirements. Chest X-ray showed features of pulmonary oedema. After a multi-disciplinary meeting, it was advisable to proceed with the surgery at the earliest opportunity.

In Theatre, after Cardio-Pulmonary bypass (CPB) was established. Active coagulation time (ACT) was regularly monitored and kept to a minimum to reduce the risk of ICH deterioration. We aimed as possible for short CPB time (58 minutes) and aortic cross clamp time (51 minutes). With CO₂ diffusion and under mild hypothermia (34b °C), the ascending aorta and right atrium were cannulated. Retrograde (cold blood) cardioplegic arrest was achieved after aortic cross clamp was applied. Intra-operative findings included very dilated heart, torrential AR, and no mitral valve lesions. The aortic valve was excised and replaced with Trifecta bioprosthetic 25 mm valve. CPB weaning was facilitated with temporary epicardial pacing and low-dose noradrenaline. TOE showed a well-seated aortic valve with no paravalvular leak.

Postoperative recovery in the ICU was uneventful. Head CT (Figure 3) showed stable haemorrhagic infarct in the right fronto-parietal region and ischaemia in right cerebellar region. No new features. He was continued on IV diuretics and high flow O2 to help to resolve the pulmonary oedema. Despite reduced power in left arm, he was fully oriented without new neurologic deficits. He was discharged to ward after two days in ITU when oxygen requirement was reduced and pulmonary oedema had improved.

He progressed well on IV antibiotics and physiotherapy until he was transferred to a neurology rehabilitation unit with the residual left arm weakness on the 15^th postoperative day with a plan to continue antibiotics and follow up in clinic in 6 weeks.

Discussion

Symptomatic neurological complications in infective endocarditis patients occur mainly due to embolization of vegetations. These complications happen in 15-30% of patients with IE [3]. In particular, ICH complicates 5-7% of cases of IE and it is a common complication of left-sided IE [1,2]. ICH is associated with a significantly higher risk of surgical mortality [6].

Multi-disciplinary meeting (MDT) discussion, in our case, enhanced significantly the process of decision-making by involving the neurologist who was looking after him, the anaesthetist, the intensivist and other surgical colleagues. In addition to that, repeating the head CT scan did not show any interval changes in the ICH appearance. The patient had ^{Staphylococcus aureus} endocarditis causing haemorrhagic parietal CVA and other multiple ischaemic lesions, and abdomen CT scan showed evidence of embolic infarcts in spleen and liver. Additionally, in making our decision we found the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score very helpful. The NIHSS has been repetitively authorised as a tool for evaluating stroke severity and as an excellent predictor for patient outcomes [7]. His low NIHSS score (= 4) would suggest that the best option would be to have his aortic valve operated on early. The heart has become increasingly decompensated which made surgery the most appropriate management though the potential risk of deteriorated ICH due to the anticoagulation status required while patient is on CPB.

The patient was involved in decision making and made aware of different consequences that might result from this open-heart surgery. He was aware that there is a risk of his stroke worsening if he has aortic valve replacement (AVR) but waiting would cause his demise through heart failure. In terms of valve choices, we believed he would better have a tissue valve as anticoagulating him could create further deterioration though a second time AVR could be carried out in future with higher than usual risks of morbidity and mortality.

The existence of ICH with IE challenges the surgical judgment. According to the Japanese Adult Cardiovascular Surgery Database, patients with IE and cerebral haemorrhage showed trends toward lower incidence of hospital death when operated on between 1-3 weeks than those operated on within 7 days [4]. Furthermore, the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines recommend in IE patients with intracranial hemorrhage that surgery should generally be postponed for ≥ 1 month (Class IIa; Level of Evidence B) [3].

The timing of surgery in IE complicated with ICH is a debatable topic [8]. In review of medical literature, Okita, et al. found that early surgical treatment is safe in active IE patients with cerebral infarction. However, surgery within 7 days should be avoided in patients with ICH [4]. Carell [5], in his comment on this study, although he was arguing that in patients with IE and CVA with or without ICH early valve surgery is not generally contraindicated, he fully accepted the conclusions of Okita, et al. [4].

We believed that individual assessment of each case is essential in decision making and planning surgery. Surgery could be justifiable in cases where emergency surgery is indicated, and the ICH is small. Others insisted that when emergent or urgent surgery is required for IE, neurological complications should not be a cause of deferral or delay [9]. In a series of 30 patients with ICH secondary to IE, Yoshioka, et al. [10] reported 20 of them had valve surgery within 28 days. Neither neurologic deterioration nor exacerbation of haemorrhagic lesions occurred in all these patients irrespective of the timing of surgery as the post-operative neuroimaging study revealed [10].

Conclusion

Early surgical intervention in IE complicated by ICH can be lifesaving with low risk of neurological events. A thorough neurovascular imaging studies can help to identify and assess patient's risk factors. Decision and Timing of surgery should be judicious and individual when endocarditis presents with intracranial haemorrhage and severe aortic regurgitation.

Declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors certify that there is no conflict of interest with any financial organization regarding the material discussed in the manuscript.

Funding

The authors report no involvement in the research by the sponsor that could have influenced the outcome of this work.

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