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Published on: August 18, 2016
Neurologic manifestations as presenting symptoms of endocarditis
Adaya Weissler1, Leor Perl, Yoram Neuman
1Department of Medicine, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, affiliated with Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel.
Insights
Infective endocarditis can present with new neurologic symptoms, even in young patients without typical risk factors like fever or heart conditions. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial for better outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Infective endocarditis (IE) presents with diverse cardiac and non-cardiac manifestations.
- Neurologic complications affect up to 40% of IE patients, often as the initial symptom.
Observation:
- This study details three young IE patients lacking typical symptoms (fever, comorbidities, valvular defects).
- Common neurologic presentations included focal deficits and confusion.
Findings:
- IE can occur in young individuals without predisposing factors.
- Neurologic symptoms are key indicators of IE, even without fever.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider IE in patients with new neurologic complaints, irrespective of traditional risk factors.
- Early diagnosis and antibiotic therapy are vital for managing IE and preventing severe neurologic sequelae.
Abstract:
The features of infective endocarditis include both cardiac and non-cardiac manifestations. Neurologic complications are seen in up to 40% of patients with infective endocarditis and are the presenting symptom in a substantial percentage. We describe in detail the clinical scenarios of three patients admitted to our hospital, compare their characteristics and review the recent literature describing neurologic manifestations of infective endocarditis. Our patients demonstrate that infective endocarditis can develop without comorbidity or a valvular defect. Moreover, our patients were young and lacked the most common symptom of endocarditis: fever. The most common neurologic manifestations were focal neurologic deficits and confusion. We conclude that infective endocarditis should always be considered in patients presenting with new-onset neurologic complaints, especially in those without comorbidities or other risk factors. A prompt diagnosis should be reached and antibiotic treatment initiated as soon as possible.
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