Surgical case of isolated pulmonary valve endocarditis in a patient without predisposing factors

Gen Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2018 Apr;66(4):235-238. doi: 10.1007/s11748-017-0788-7. Epub 2017 Jun 6.

Abstract

We report a case of isolated pulmonary valve endocarditis in a 47-year-old woman without predisposing factors. She had episodes of low-grade fever and non-productive cough and was initially diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia. With antibiotic treatment, her condition improved transiently, but she had repeated respiratory events. Forty days after her first visit, she complained of severe dyspnea. Echocardiography revealed a large vegetation adhering to the pulmonary valve and she was diagnosed with isolated pulmonary valve endocarditis. Surgical treatment was selected because antibiotic treatment was not effective. The main pulmonary artery was transected above the annulus and the infected valve was excised. To avoid contact of the prosthetic valve with the infected pulmonary annulus, a stentless bioprosthesis was interposed between the transected parts of the pulmonary trunk. Two years after the surgery, the patient is stable with no sign of infection.

Keywords: Infective endocarditis; Pulmonary valve; Reversed halo sign; Stentless bioprosthesis; Tricuspid syndrome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bioprosthesis
  • Echocardiography
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / diagnostic imaging
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / surgery*
  • Female
  • Heart Valve Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Valve Diseases / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Pulmonary Artery / surgery
  • Pulmonary Valve / diagnostic imaging
  • Pulmonary Valve / surgery*
  • Risk Factors

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents