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Published on: October 20, 2017
Neurological Complications of Endocarditis: A Multidisciplinary Review with Focus on Surgical Decision Making
Thiago Santos Carneiro1, Eric Awtry2, Nikola Dobrilovic3
1Department of Neurology, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts.
Insights
Infective endocarditis (IE) can cause serious brain issues like strokes. Early MRI and careful timing of heart surgery, depending on stroke type, are crucial for managing these neurological complications.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Infective endocarditis (IE) is a systemic infection with significant neurological complications.
- Common neurological issues include strokes, intracranial aneurysms, and brain abscesses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the neurological complications of IE.
- To discuss their impact on cardiac surgery decisions and timing.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on IE neurological complications.
- Analysis of management strategies and surgical timing.
Main Results:
- Most left-sided IE patients have brain lesions requiring MRI.
- Surgery timing differs: earlier for ischemic strokes, delayed (3-4 weeks) for hemorrhagic strokes.
Conclusions:
- Neurological complications significantly influence IE patient management.
- A multidisciplinary approach is essential for optimal patient care and surgical decision-making.
Abstract:
Infective endocarditis (IE) is a systemic disease with many potential neurologic manifestations including ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, cerebral microbleeding, infectious intracranial aneurysms, meningitis, brain abscesses, and encephalopathy. The majority of left-sided (heart) IE patients have brain lesions that may alter management decisions, warranting the systematic use of magnetic resonance imaging. Many patients require surgical treatment of valvular disease, and central nervous system lesions weigh into decision making. Data regarding the timing of surgery are conflicting, but earlier surgery appears to be safe in most ischemic strokes, while ideally surgery should be delayed for 3 to 4 weeks in patients with hemorrhagic strokes. IE requires a multidisciplinary team to collaboratively care for the patient. In this article, we review the current understanding and management of the neurological complications of IE and their impact on the performance and timing of cardiac surgery.
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