Multivalvular infective endocarditis in pregnancy presenting with septic pulmonary emboli

A 33-year-old woman presented at 36 weeks gestation with worsening respiratory distress. A CT-pulmonary angiogram was performed to rule out a massive pulmonary embolism; instead, this identified extensive septic pulmonary emboli throughout both lung fields. Given the continuing maternal deterioration, a non-elective caesarean section was performed. A transoesophageal echocardiogram identified multiple large cardiac valve vegetations on both sides of her heart with an associated aortic root abscess. She responded well to a 6-week course of intravenous antibiotics.