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Introduction: It’s unknown if patients with Bicuspid Aortic Valve (BAV) endocarditis behave differently compared to Tricuspid Aortic Valve (TAV), and if BAV patients are more susceptible to aortic valve endocarditis. Hypothesis: We aimed to distinguish BAV and TAV infectious endocarditis, including the short and long-term outcomes after surgical treatment. Methods: From 1997-2017, 336 patients underwent surgical treatment for aortic valve endocarditis, including 63(19%) BAV, which is 10-20 times higher than the BAV incidence in the general population (1-2%), and 273(81%) TAV endocarditis. Results: Postoperatively, the BAV group had significant shorter intubation time, and less renal failure on dialysis compared to TAV group. There was no compelling difference in postoperative stroke, sepsis, pacemaker requirement and in-hospital mortality [3/65(4.6%) vs. 19/283(6.7%)] between groups. The 10-year survival was better in the BAV group than the TAV group (62% vs. 33%, p=0.004) (Figure). The significant risk factors for late mortality were renal failure on dialysis [hazard ratio (HR)=2], intravenous drug user (HR=2.4), congestive heart failure (HR=1.6), previous coronary artery bypass (HR=1.8) and liver disease (HR=2.4), all p<0.05, but not TAV (HR=1.6, p=0.14). Conclusions: In conclusion, BAV patients have a higher likelihood of infectious endocarditis requiring surgery at a younger age than TAV patients, but similar outcomes. Strong consideration of utilizing prophylactic antibiotics and early surgical treatment for BAV patients, to lower the likelihood of aortic valve endocarditis.

BACKGROUND High-risk alcohol use is a common preventable risk factor for postoperative complications, admission to intensive care, and longer hospital stays. Short-term abstinence from alcohol use (2 to 4 weeks) prior to surgery is linked to a lower likelihood of postoperative complications. OBJECTIVE The study aimed to explore the acceptability and feasibility of 2 brief counseling approaches to reduce alcohol use in elective surgical patients with high-risk alcohol use in the perioperative period. METHODS A semistructured interview study was conducted with a group of “high responders” (who reduced alcohol use ≥50% postbaseline) and “low responders” (who reduced alcohol use by ≤25% postbaseline) after their completion of a pilot trial to explore the acceptability and perceived impacts on drinking behaviors of the 2 counseling interventions delivered remotely by phone or video call. Interview transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. RESULTS In total, 19 participants (10 high responders and 9 low responders) from the parent trial took part in interviews. Three main themes were identified: (1) the intervention content was novel and impactful, (2) the choice of intervention modality enhanced participant engagement in the intervention, and (3) factors external to the interventions also influenced alcohol use. CONCLUSIONS The findings support the acceptability of both high- and low-intensity brief counseling approaches. Elective surgical patients are interested in receiving alcohol-focused education, and further research is needed to test the effectiveness of these interventions in reducing drinking before and after surgery. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03929562; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03929562

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