Aortic coarctation endarteritis: The importance of a systematic echocardiographic study

Aortic coarctation determines a favorable anatomical condition for the development of endocarditis-endarteritis due to the presence of an alteration in blood flow dynamics that favors the appearance of endothelial damage and the adhesion of microorganisms. At present, endarteritis of aortic coarctation is a rare entity due to early detection and surgical treatment of patient carriers of aortic coarctation. We present a case of a patient affected with a previously unknown aortic coarctation, who developed infective endarteritis with secondary formation of mycotic aneurysm. The echocardiography techniques proved determinant in establishing the diagnosis of aortic coarctation, as well as the associated infectious complications. <Learning objectives: In this paper we show an infrequent case of vascular infection nowadays, as a complication of a congenital heart disease. Physical examination and echocardiography were clues for an early diagnosis, and should emphasize the performance of a complete echocardiography that includes the suprasternal view.>.