Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 1, 2026

Fully Endoscopic Mitral Valve Repair with Percutaneous Cannulation of Groin Vessels
08:12

Fully Endoscopic Mitral Valve Repair with Percutaneous Cannulation of Groin Vessels

Published on: May 26, 2023

Infective endocarditis caused by Moraxella nonliquefaciens in a percutaneous aortic valve replacement

Isma Rafiq1, Hari Parthasarathy1, Catherine Tremlett2

  • 1Department Cardiology, Norfolk & Norwich University NHS Hospital.

Cardiovascular Revascularization Medicine : Including Molecular Interventions
|June 7, 2011
PubMed

Insights

This is the first reported case of infective endocarditis caused by Moraxella nonliquefaciens following a percutaneous aortic valve replacement. Medical treatment with antibiotics proved successful for this high-risk patient.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Medical Device Infections

Background:

  • Infective endocarditis (IE) is a serious complication following cardiac procedures.
  • Percutaneous aortic valve replacement (PAVR) is an alternative to surgical AVR, particularly for high-risk patients.
  • Moraxella species are uncommon causes of IE, especially in the context of prosthetic valves.

Observation:

  • A 64-year-old woman developed IE due to Moraxella nonliquefaciens after undergoing PAVR.
  • The patient had a complex medical history including multiple sternotomies and radiotherapy, rendering her unsuitable for surgical AVR.
  • She was also on azathioprine immunosuppression for myasthenia gravis, potentially increasing her risk for IE.

Findings:

  • The patient's IE was successfully treated with a course of antibiotics.
  • This case represents the first documented instance of Moraxella nonliquefaciens causing IE on a PAVR prosthesis.
  • The clinical course highlights the challenges in managing IE in patients with significant comorbidities and prior thoracic interventions.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of considering unusual pathogens in prosthetic valve endocarditis.
  • The successful medical management suggests that antibiotics alone may be sufficient in select cases, avoiding high-risk surgery.
  • Prophylactic antibiotic administration at the time of PAVR implantation may be warranted for patients with similar risk factors, such as prior sternotomies and immunosuppression.

More Related Videos

Experimental Endocarditis Model of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Rat07:46

Experimental Endocarditis Model of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Rat

Published on: June 4, 2012

Full-root Aortic Valve Replacement by Stentless Aortic Xenografts in Patients with Small Aortic Roots12:17

Full-root Aortic Valve Replacement by Stentless Aortic Xenografts in Patients with Small Aortic Roots

Published on: May 21, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Endocarditis I: Introduction01:25

Endocarditis I: Introduction

Introduction:Endocarditis is the infection of the endocardium, the inner lining of the heart and its valves. When the heart muscle is involved, the condition is termed myocarditis, while an infection of the outer lining is called pericarditis. Infective endocarditis (IE) primarily affects the endocardium, where pathogens adhere to the valves or lining, forming vegetation that can lead to severe complications. Infective endocarditis occurs when microorganisms, usually bacteria from other body...
Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis01:25

Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis

Endocarditis can present various clinical features depending on the causative organism and the patient's underlying health conditions. Initially, the clinical features of infective endocarditis develop gradually, presenting with nonspecific symptoms that can be easily mistaken for other illnesses.General SymptomsEarly symptoms of infective endocarditis are fever, chills, weakness, malaise, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms reflect the systemic nature of the infection and the body's...
Endocarditis III: Medical Management01:18

Endocarditis III: Medical Management

Infective endocarditis management involves a multifaceted approach encompassing infection prevention, lifestyle modifications, pharmacological therapy, and surgical management.Infection Prevention:Hand Hygiene: Thorough handwashing is crucial to prevent the spread of infection. Hand hygiene should be performed regularly, especially before and after using the restroom.Oral Hygiene: Good oral hygiene is essential. It includes brushing teeth immediately after waking up and before bed, flossing...
Endocarditis IV: Nursing Management01:29

Endocarditis IV: Nursing Management

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a chronic infection of the heart's endocardium, primarily affecting the heart valves. A detailed nursing assessment for a patient with IE involves collecting subjective and objective data to ensure an accurate diagnosis and timely intervention.Subjective DataThe nurse gathers information about the patient's symptoms and complaints during the subjective assessment. Patients with infective endocarditis often report non-specific symptoms that can mimic other...
Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction01:22

Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction

Mitral Valve Stenosis (MVS) is a heart condition where the mitral valve narrows, impeding blood circulation from the left atrium to the left ventricle. The etiology and pathophysiology of this condition are multifaceted, leading to a cascade of cardiovascular complications.Causes of Mitral Valve StenosisRheumatic Heart Disease: It is the main cause of mitral valve stenosis, particularly in developing nations. This condition arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory illness resulting from...
Mitral Valve Prolapse I: Introduction01:27

Mitral Valve Prolapse I: Introduction

IntroductionThe mitral valve, one of the heart's four valves, regulates blood flow. These valves have flaps that open and close to direct blood properly through the heart and body. During each heartbeat, the flaps open for blood to pass through and seal shut to prevent backflow. Specifically, the mitral valve opens to allow blood flow from the heart's upper left chamber to the lower left chamber. It then closes securely as the lower left chamber contracts to pump blood to the body, preventing...