Study note

TAVI deployment and endocarditis in older adults

THE CONTEXT

The target material describes transcatheter aortic valve implantation and the distinctive presentation of endocarditis in old age.

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Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) positions an unexpanded bioprosthetic valve through a large femoral catheter.

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The valve is deployed by a balloon during rapid ventricular pacing, leaving the fully expanded valve in place.

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Symptoms and signs may be non-specific, including delirium, weight loss, malaise and weakness, so the diagnosis may not be suspected.

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Common causative organisms are often enterococci from the urinary tract and Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. gallolyticus from a colonic source.

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Morbidity and mortality are much higher in older patients.

NEETx

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