Reversal of Paraneoplastic Non-Bacterial Thrombotic Endocarditis with Heparin and Targeted Cancer Therapy: A Case...

Background and Clinical Significance: Non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE), historically termed marantic endocarditis, is a severe manifestation of cancer-associated hypercoagulability characterized by sterile valvular vegetations and a high risk of systemic embolization. While direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have become the standard of care for cancer-associated venous thromboembolism (CAT), their efficacy in preventing high-shear arterial thrombosis in NBTE has been contested. Emerging data suggest that DOACs may fail to halt vegetation growth in active malignancy, necessitating a reversion to heparin-based therapies. Case Presentation: A 47-year-old female with metastatic RET fusion-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) presented with progressive dyspnea and digital ischemia despite strict adherence to therapeutic anticoagulation with rivaroxaban for a prior pulmonary embolism. Echocardiography showed large vegetations on all three cusps of the aortic valve, confirming NBTE. Computed tomography revealed extensive tumor progression. The therapeutic strategy involved an immediate switch from rivaroxaban to therapeutic low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) and the initiation of dual targeted therapy with selpercatinib and tepotinib. Serial transesophageal echocardiography documented regression within two weeks and eventual complete resolution of the valvular vegetations after eight weeks, occurring in tandem with a rapid radiological response of the tumor. Conclusions: Upon diagnosis of NBTE, a rapid oncologic work-up is warranted, as ongoing tumor progression is highly likely. This case questions the appropriateness of direct oral anticoagulants in patients with NBTE and active, progressive malignancy.