Coronary artery compression caused by abscess formation in infective endocarditis

Two cases are reported in which abscess formation during the course of infective endocarditis resulted in critical compression of the left coronary artery. In one case this resulted in unstable angina. Chest pain during infective endocarditis may be due to coronary artery compression by an abscess; successful treatment may require surgery, including a coronary artery bypass procedure.