Unconventional Infective Endocarditis: Case Series Of Unusual Vegetation Locations And Complications With Systemic Embolization

Abstract

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a potentially fatal infection that is becoming more common among high-risk populations such as intravenous drug users, patients on hemodialysis for end-stage renal disease (ESRD), and people with chronic bacteremia. This case series focuses on three unique manifestations of IE. (1) a 28-year-old intravenous drug user with mitral valve endocarditis complicated by multi-organ septic emboli, (2) a postpartum woman with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) IE and multiple embolic infarctions, including a breast abscess, and (3) a 60-year-old ESRD with Permcath patient on hemodialysis with Staphylococcus aureus-related mitral valve IE. Each case highlights the diagnostic problems, consequences, and the need of early detection and vigorous treatment. This case series also looks at the function of echocardiography, antibiotic therapy, and the consequences of delayed interventions in these high-risk patients.