Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 30, 2026

An In Vitro Model of a Parallel-Plate Perfusion System to Study Bacterial Adherence to Graft Tissues
Published on: January 7, 2019
Infective Endocarditis Masquerade: Aortic Prosthetic Valve Degeneration and Mitral Prosthetic Valve Thrombosis
Duha Wani1, Mayra Guerrero1, Juan Crestanello2
1Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Minnesota.
None:
We describe a unique case where a combination of aortic bioprosthetic failure, mitral bioprosthetic thrombosis and a previously untreated pseudoaneurysm of the intervalvular fibrosa mimicked infective endocarditis. Clinical examination, review of patient's history and old imaging studies together with an extensive negative infectious workup allowed the correct diagnosis and appropriate management. Multimodality imaging, including echocardiography, 4D-CT and PET-CT were critical in confirming a non-infectious etiology. TAKE-HOME MESSAGE: A unifying diagnosis of infective endocarditis was incorrect, with multiple diseases responsible for the clinical findings. This is yet another instance when Hickam's dictum trumps Occam's razor - all due to multimodality imaging.
Related Concept Videos
Endocarditis I: Introduction
Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis
Mitral Stenosis I: Introduction
Endocarditis III: Medical Management
Mitral Valve Prolapse I: Introduction
Aortic Regurgitation I: Introduction
