Related Experiment Videos
Infective endocarditis from Enterococcus faecalis complicating colonoscopy in Heyde's syndrome
M Giusti de Marle1, A Sgreccia, E Carmenini
1Department of Internal Medicine, Università La Sapienza, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy.
Postgraduate Medical Journal
|October 7, 2004
Summary
This case report details infective endocarditis caused by Enterococcus faecalis following a colonoscopy in a patient with Heyde
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Heyde's syndrome is characterized by aortic valve disease and gastrointestinal bleeding, often due to angiodysplasia.
- Patients with Heyde's syndrome may be at increased risk for infective endocarditis.
Observation:
- A 77-year-old male with aortic stenoinsufficiency and a history of intestinal bleeding presented for colonoscopy.
- Fifteen days post-colonoscopy, the patient developed fever and positive blood cultures for Enterococcus faecalis.
- Echocardiography revealed aortic valve vegetations, confirming infective endocarditis.
Findings:
- Enterococcus faecalis infective endocarditis was diagnosed and successfully treated with antibiotics.
- Recurrent intestinal bleeding occurred months later, leading to surgical resection and histopathological confirmation of angiodysplasia.
- This case highlights a potential link between colonoscopy and infective endocarditis in patients with Heyde's syndrome.
Implications:
- Consider antibiotic prophylaxis before invasive procedures like colonoscopy in patients with Heyde's syndrome.
- Early recognition and treatment of infective endocarditis are crucial in this patient population.
- Further research is warranted to establish definitive guidelines for managing patients with Heyde's syndrome undergoing gastrointestinal procedures.