Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis

Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis is a cardiac valve lesion characterized by vegetations composed of fibrin and trapped platelets on an uninflamed valve leaflet. It is often associated with malnutrition or underlying malignancy. The vegetations may give rise to clinically significant emboli and occasionally may cause cardiac murmurs. The diagnosis should be considered in any debilitated patient who suddenly develops unexplained embolic disease, a new cardiac murmur or disseminated intravascular coagulation.