Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 28, 2025

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Evaluation of Suspected Cardiac Thrombus: Conventional and Emerging Techniques
Published on: June 11, 2019
Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging for the Diagnosis of Mycobacterium chimaera Prosthetic Valve Infective Endocarditis
Alejandro Sanchez-Nadales1, Alejandra Diaz-Sierra2, Michele Mocadie3
1Department of Cardiovascular Disease, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston FL.
Abstract:
Mycobacterium chimaera is an opportunistic and emerging pathogen, which has been recognized to cause prosthetic valve infective endocarditis and disseminated infection following open-chest cardiac surgery with certain contaminated heater-cooler systems. Diagnostic evaluation of suspected prosthetic valve infective endocarditis due to M chimaera is challenging and requires a very high index of suspicion. This systematic review aims to evaluate prosthetic valve infective endocarditis due to M chimaera. Based on the current literature review, transesophageal echocardiography and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography are the most common imaging modalities used to establish the diagnosis. Based on 22 published cases, the reported cases of M chimaera endocarditis have occurred almost entirely in males. Within this cohort, the patients developed endocarditis on average 2.7 years after exposure to contaminated heater-cooler systems during cardiac surgery. M chimaera infection is associated with significant morbidity and mortality.
Insights
Mycobacterium chimaera infections can cause serious prosthetic valve endocarditis after cardiac surgery. Early diagnosis is crucial for managing this emerging pathogen, which primarily affects males years after exposure.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Cardiology
- Medical Microbiology
Background:
- Mycobacterium chimaera is an emerging opportunistic pathogen.
- It is associated with prosthetic valve infective endocarditis (PVE) and disseminated infections.
- Contaminated heater-cooler systems used in cardiac surgery are a known source of M. chimaera transmission.
Conclusions:
- Mycobacterium chimaera poses a significant risk for prosthetic valve endocarditis following cardiac surgery.
- Diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion and advanced imaging techniques.
- M. chimaera infection is linked to substantial morbidity and mortality, underscoring the need for awareness and effective prevention strategies.
More Related Videos
08:13In Vivo Quantitative Assessment of Myocardial Structure, Function, Perfusion and Viability Using Cardiac Micro-computed Tomography
Published on: February 16, 2016
12:15Tissue Preparation Techniques for Contrast-Enhanced Micro Computed Tomography Imaging of Large Mammalian Cardiac Models with Chronic Disease
Published on: February 8, 2022
Related Concept Videos
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System V: CT
Endocarditis III: Medical Management
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray
Definition and Purpose
An X-ray, or radiograph, is a non-invasive method that uses ionizing radiation to take images of internal structures. It is mainly used in cardiac imaging to examine the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels, aiming to identify abnormalities in the heart's size, shape, and position, such as heart failure, congenital defects, and vascular...
Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests
Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies