Native-valve endocarditis detected by point-of-care echocardiography

Infective endocarditis carries a high morbidity and mortality; therefore, a rapid diagnosis and timely treatment is crucial to improve outcomes. Diagnosis of infective endocarditis is supported on echocardiogram findings.

An adult male with history of long-term hemodialysis, presented with embolic manifestations (cerebral, skin) and fever. A large vegetation in the mitral valve and other in the tricuspid valve were detected by point-of-care transthoracic echocardiogram, while blood cultures subsequently resulted positive for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Despite therapeutic efforts, the patient developed into an irreversible shock and died.

Point-of-care echocardiogram has a pivotal role in diagnosis and decision-making of infective endocarditis.