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Fatal hemoptysis in acute bacterial endocarditis.
1Department of Medicine, Louisiana State University Medical Center, New Orleans 70112.
The American Review of Respiratory Disease
|May 1, 1988
Summary
Massive hemoptysis, a rare bacterial endocarditis complication, can stem from pulmonary issues. This case highlights a fatal lung hemorrhage from a subclavian artery mycotic aneurysm, linked to mitral valve endocarditis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Bacterial endocarditis is an infection of the heart valves, often leading to serious complications.
- Massive hemoptysis (coughing up blood) is an uncommon but severe manifestation of endocarditis.
- Common causes include septic pulmonary emboli and ruptured mycotic aneurysms of the pulmonary artery, typically with tricuspid valve involvement.
Observation:
- This report details a unique case of massive hemoptysis.
- The patient presented with fatal hemorrhage into the lung.
- The source was identified as a mycotic aneurysm of the subclavian artery.
Findings:
- The mycotic aneurysm of the subclavian artery eroded into the left upper lobe of the lung.
- This rare vascular complication was a sequela of staphylococcal endocarditis.
- The endocarditis specifically involved the mitral valve, differing from typical presentations.
Implications:
- This case expands the known spectrum of massive hemoptysis in bacterial endocarditis.
- It underscores the importance of considering unusual vascular sources, even outside the pulmonary artery.
- Highlights the potential for severe, unexpected bleeding complications from endocarditis involving different heart valves.