Aorto-cavitary fistula to the left ventricle with severe aortic regurgitation as a complication of prosthetic valve infective endocarditis: a novel report

Affiliations

Department of Medicine, Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center

Department of Medicine, Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center

Department of Medicine, Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center

Abstract

Infective endocarditis can present in different clinical forms and lead to a variety of complications depending on the affected valvular and perivalvular structures. We describe a case of a 74-year-old male who developed an aortic-cavitary fistulous tract as a complication of prosthetic aortic valve infective endocarditis. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) revealed an aorto-cavitary fistula (ACF) connecting the aortic root with the left ventricle, creating an intracardiac shunt, which resulted in severe aortic regurgitation physiology. The patient underwent surgery with successful exclusion of the ACF. ACF is an unusual complication of infective endocarditis that creates an abnormal communication between the aortic root and the heart chambers, establishing an intracardiac shunt. This case highlights that physicians should be aware of the possibility of rare cardiac complications in infective endocarditis. TEE is a valid diagnostic test for ACF.

Document Type

Article

PubMed ID

33391766

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