[Non-infective endocarditis]

Non-infective endocarditis, also referred to as non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis, represent a wide range of rare pathologies, often severe. This review gathered the data available in the literature, to decipher the major information collected on the pathophysiology, the diagnosis and the treatment of these heterogeneous diseases, often misdiagnosed. Characteristics of non-infective endocarditis are similar to infective endocarditis in terms of valvular lesions (mostly left-sided, with regurgitations and vegetations), and their complications (embolism). The diagnosis of non-infective endocarditis is usually considered in patients with blood culture-negative endocarditis. Beyond the usual suspects - marastic endocarditis and systemic lupus erythematosus - which represent more than 75% of the cases, Behçet disease and hypereosinophilic syndrome are the main causes of non-infective endocarditis. More seldomly, rheumatoid arthritis, adult-onset Still disease, allergy to pork in patients with valvular procine bioprosthesis, systemic scleroderma, Cogan or Sneddon syndrome should be suspected. Diagnostic approach is based on history and physical examination, with a special focus on extra-cardiac manifestations, as well as echocardiography, and computed tomography. Treatment relies on intensive management of the underlying disease. Curative anticoagulation is often necessary. Although indications for cardiac surgery are poorly defined, as compared to infective endocarditis, data currently available suggest that an optimal control of the underlying disease before cardiac surgery is of utmost importance, as it dramatically reduces the risk of postoperative complications.