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Infective endocarditis of a papillary fibroelastoma on Chiari network of right atrium: a case report

Faisal Latif1, Marvin Peyton, Zoltan Laszik

  • 1Cardiovascular Section, Department of Medicine, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73104, USA.

Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography : Official Publication of the American Society of Echocardiography
|October 12, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Infective endocarditis, typically on heart valves, can also occur on the Chiari network, a rare right atrial remnant. This case highlights a papillary fibroelastoma on the Chiari network as the site of infection.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • The Chiari network is a rare remnant of the right valve of the sinus venosus, located in the right atrium.
  • Infective endocarditis commonly affects cardiac valves but can occur in other cardiac structures.

Observation:

  • A 41-year-old woman with a history of Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis presented with fever and chills.
  • Echocardiography showed no cardiac valve vegetations, but a mass was identified attached to the Chiari network in the right atrium.

Findings:

  • Surgical removal and analysis of the mass revealed infective endocarditis on a papillary fibroelastoma.
  • This represents the first reported case of infective endocarditis on a papillary fibroelastoma attached to the Chiari network.

Implications:

  • This case expands the understanding of infective endocarditis presentation, demonstrating it can occur on non-valvular cardiac structures.
  • It underscores the importance of considering atypical locations for cardiac infections, even in the absence of valve vegetations.

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