Infective endocarditis presenting with ST segment elevation
John Jose1, Kumar Narayanan, Sujith Thomas Chacko
1Department of Cardiology, Christian Medical College Hospital, Vellore, India. drjohnjose@gmail.com
Insights
Infective endocarditis with an aortic root abscess can rarely cause acute myocardial infarction. This case highlights a unique presentation of inferior wall myocardial infarction due to endocarditis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Infective endocarditis (IE) poses significant mortality and morbidity risks.
- Congestive heart failure, septic embolization, and aortic root abscess are common IE complications.
Observation:
- Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is an uncommon complication of IE.
- Inferior wall myocardial infarction as a manifestation of IE is exceptionally rare.
Findings:
- This report details a rare case where IE with an aortic root abscess presented as an acute inferior wall myocardial infarction.
- The aortic root abscess, a known IE complication, was the likely cause of the myocardial infarction.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider IE in patients presenting with myocardial infarction, especially those with risk factors or unusual infarction patterns.
- Recognizing IE as a potential cause of AMI, even in rare locations like the inferior wall, is crucial for timely diagnosis and treatment.
Abstract:
Despite diagnostic and therapeutic advances, mortality and morbidity associated with infective endocarditis (IE) remains high. Congestive heart failure and complications such as septic embolization and aortic root abscess are the main causes. Although aortic root abscess is a common complication of IE involving the aortic valve, acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a rare complication in patients with endocarditis, whether in the acute or later phase of infection. In most cases, the infarction is either anterior or anterolateral. To the best of the present authors' knowledge, only one case of infarction at a purely inferior site has been reported previously. In the present case, IE with an aortic root abscess presented clinically as an acute inferior wall myocardial infarction.
Related Concept Videos
Endocarditis I: Introduction
Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis
Endocarditis IV: Nursing Management
Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
Endocarditis III: Medical Management
Acute Coronary Syndrome II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations

