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Percutaneous Aspiration for IVDU-Associated Infective Endocarditis: A Comparative Case Series
Ghulam Mujtaba Ghumman1, Anas Noman1, Tarif Kanaan1
1Cardiovascular Diseases, Mercy Health Saint Vincent Medical Center, Toledo, Ohio, USA.
Background:
Management of intravenous drug use (IVDU)-associated tricuspid valve (TV) infective endocarditis (IE) is challenging when surgery is not feasible.
Case Summary:
We report 4 high-risk patients with IVDU-associated TV IE complicated by persistent bacteremia and septic pulmonary emboli. All were poor surgical candidates given ongoing substance use or comorbidities, and all underwent percutaneous aspiration using AngioVac or Penumbra under transesophageal echocardiographic guidance, achieving vegetation debulking, bacteremia clearance, and clinical stabilization.
Discussion:
Transcatheter aspiration may serve as an alternative or adjunctive option in selected nonsurgical patients.
Take-Home Messages:
Transcatheter aspiration is a management option for selected patients with TV IE who are not surgical candidates. It is important to understand the technical and clinical considerations guiding selection between AngioVac and Penumbra systems for tricuspid vegetation debulking and to appreciate the importance of a multidisciplinary approach when managing IE in patients with ongoing IVDU.
Insights
Transcatheter aspiration using AngioVac or Penumbra offers a new treatment for intravenous drug use-associated tricuspid valve infective endocarditis in patients unsuitable for surgery, successfully clearing bacteremia and stabilizing patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Interventional Cardiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Management of infective endocarditis (IE) in intravenous drug users (IVDU) poses challenges, particularly when tricuspid valve (TV) involvement occurs and surgery is not an option.
- High-risk patients with IVDU-associated TV IE often present with persistent bacteremia and septic pulmonary emboli, complicating treatment decisions.
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