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Echocardiographic Approaches and Protocols for Comprehensive Phenotypic Characterization of Valvular Heart Disease in Mice
Published on: February 14, 2017
An amazing dance across the aortic valve.
International Journal of Cardiology
|March 21, 2008
Summary
A rare case of infective endocarditis presented as a mobile mass in the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT). The patient, who refused surgery, was successfully treated with antibiotics, avoiding surgical intervention for this mobile cardiac mass.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiac Surgery
Background:
- Infective endocarditis typically affects heart valves.
- Mobile masses in the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) pose a high risk of embolization.
- Surgical intervention is generally recommended for mobile LVOT masses.
Observation:
- A patient presented with an unusual mobile mass in the LVOT.
- The mass was diagnosed as infective endocarditis caused by aminoglycoside-resistant Enterococcus faecalis.
- The patient had no other cardiac chamber or valve abnormalities.
Findings:
- The patient refused the recommended surgical removal of the LVOT mass.
- A conservative management approach was adopted, involving a 6-week course of benzyl penicillin and ceftriaxone.
- This non-surgical management was successful in treating the infective endocarditis and resolving the mobile mass.
Implications:
- This case highlights that antibiotic therapy alone can be a viable alternative to surgery for mobile LVOT masses in select patients.
- It suggests that careful consideration of patient refusal and antibiotic susceptibility is crucial in managing infective endocarditis with mobile cardiac masses.
- Further research may explore the criteria for non-operative management of such challenging cardiac conditions.
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