Browsing by Author "Liebenberg, Jacques"

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    7-Year experience of transcatheter aortic valve implants (TAVI) in a Western Cape private healthcare setting
    (South African Heart Association, 2019) Weich, Hellmuth; Liebenberg, Jacques; Van Wyk, Jacques; Vivier, Rocco; Barnard, Barry; Abelson, Mark; Phillips, Andre; Mabin, Tom
    Introduction: We describe the largest South African transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) outcome report of a single team in the Western Cape, over a 7-year period from 2009 - 2016. Methods: All patients who received TAVI at Mediclinic Vergelegen and Mediclinic Panorama were prospectively entered into a database. A total of 244 implants (61 CoreValve and 183 Edwards valves) were performed. Results: Patients were high risk with a mean STS score of 7.89 (standard deviation (SD) 5.7) and mean logistic EuroSCORE of 26.5 (SD 12.5). There was a trend toward lower risk over time. Procedures were initially performed mainly via a transapical approach, but this changed to mostly transfemoral with the introduction of smaller delivery systems. Procedural success rate was 91.8% for CoreValve and 88.5% for Edwards cases. Mean length of hospital stay following TAVI was 9 days initially, but this declined to 4 days for the latter part of our experience. One year mortality was 19% and one year stroke rate was 10%. Conclusion: Despite the limitations of a study of this nature, our group could document outcomes similar to international studies, with improvements over time and illustrating successful cooperation between different hospitals to expand exposure and experience in a resource-constrained environment.
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    Sporotrichosis in renal transplant patients : two case reports and a review of the literature
    (BMC (part of Springer Nature), 2020-06-26) Amirali, Mazhar H.; Liebenberg, Jacques; Pillay, Sheylyn; Nel, Johan
    Introduction: Sporotrichosis is a rare fungal infection in transplant patients; among these patients, it occurs mostly in renal transplant patients. Sporothrix schenkii is the primary pathogen responsible. A high index of suspicion is required to make the diagnosis keeping important differential diagnoses in mind. History of trauma through recreational or occupational exposure to the fungus may assist in making the diagnosis. Treatment is difficult, with long-term use of potentially nephrotoxic and cytochrome P450 inhibitor antifungal agents leading to potential calcineurin inhibitors toxicity. We describe two renal transplant patients presenting with distinct sporotrichosis infection: “Case 2” being only the second reported case ever of meningeal sporotrichosis. We subsequently review the general aspects of sporotrichosis, specifically in renal transplant patients as described in the medical literature. Case presentation: Case 1, a 43-year-old mixed ancestry male patient presented with a non-healing ulcer on the left arm for 1 year, he was diagnosed with cutaneous sporotrichosis and was successfully treated with itraconazole monotherapy. Case 2, a 56-year-old mixed ancestry male patient presented with a slow decline in functions, confusion, inappropriate behavior, rigors and significant loss of weight and appetite over the past 4 months, he was diagnosed with meningeal sporotrichosis and was successfully treated with a combination of deoxycholate amphotericin B and itraconazole. Conclusion: Physicians taking care of renal transplant patients should have a high index of suspicion for sporotrichosis infection particularly when conventional therapy for common conditions fails. Susceptibility testing is recommended to identify the most effective antifungal agent and its dose. The slow nature of growth of Sporothrix schenkii necessitates patients to be on amphotericin B until the time results are available. Finally, there is a need to be aware of potential drug-drug interactions of the azoles with calcineurin inhibitors and the required dose adjustments to prevent therapy related adverse events.