Acute ischaemic ventricular inferoseptal defect in a pyretic patient: a diagnostic challenge

A 78-year-old Caucasian male presented with a 5-day progressive history of fever, vomiting and dyspnoea. Initial clinical examination revealed fever, sinus tachycardia, hypotension, peripheral cyanosis and a systolic murmur. Investigations revealed a multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. A repeat trans-thoracic echocardiogram showed a basal inferoseptum aneurysm associated with an acquired ventricular septal defect not demonstrated on initial scan. An intra-aortic balloon pump was urgently inserted and he underwent surgical repair of the defect, 7 days after his initial presentation. He unfortunately died from postoperative complications.