ABSTRACT
Introduction: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a life-threatening condition, especially when diagnosis is prolonged, as the symptoms of IE overlap with COVID-19 infection (Coronaviruses disease 2019).1-4We present the case series of two patients with a diagnosis of IE concomitant with COVID-19 infection. Case report: 36-year-old patient admitted to the hospital, due to pneumonia and meningitis caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) showed paravalvular aortic abscess with mild aortic insufficiency without vegetations. Month after, patient had a positive COVID-19 swab, developed bilateral COVID-19 pneumonia, requiring oxygen therapy and respiratory support, and transferred in University Hospital Dubrava. Transesophageal echocardiography showed aortic root abscess with pseudoaneurysm in the projection of non-coronary cusp (NCC), destroyed NCC and left coronary cusp with mobile vegetations measuring 17x11 mm. The abscess cavity communicates with left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT), with massive aortic insufficiency and the regurgitation jet filling >75% of LVOT diameter (Figure 1). Ejection fraction was reduced to 45%, with signs of right ventricle deterioration. Emergent surgery was indicated, patient was successfully operated. Biologic aortic valve was implanted (Edwards Inspiris Resilia A 23) with pericardial patch of the aortic root. Control TTE showed closure of pseudoaneurysm cavity and normal function of bioprosthetic valve. Patient recovered successfully and discharged home twelve days after surgery 63-year-old female patient, with multiple comorbidities, bilateral COVID-19 pneumonia and symptoms of acute heart failure. TTE showed massive vegetation on the anterior mitral leaflet measuring 15x15 mm, with peak pressure gradient on LVOT >120 mmHg, and highly susceptible aortic valve vegetation (Figure 2). She had to undergo urgent surgical operation. The mechanical mitral valve (On-X M 31) and mechanical aortic valve (On-X A 21) were successfully implanted. Postoperative recovery went well, and control TTE showed a good function of both mechanical valves. Conclusion: Despite applied therapy, COVID-19 infection caused the hyperinflammation and suppresses our immune system to defend against pathogens, accelerating the symptoms which leads to cardiac collapse. Such clinical condition requiring urgent cardiac surgery, which could be performed only with the implementation of all epidemiological measures in the therefore planned COVID-19 hospitals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Cardiologia Croatica is the property of Croatian Cardiac Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
ABSTRACT
The world has suffered over the past year under COVID-19. Unfortunately, people still are getting sick from other, also severe, diseases. Although the COVID-19 infection is present, patients need treatment for other life-threatening conditions. We present the case of a 36-year-old patient with severe infective endocarditis with a large abscess of the aortic root, who also is COVID-19 positive. Definitive diagnostics and treatment were avoided due to COVID-19 infection. In the end, emergent surgery was indicated due to acute cardiac decompensation and the development of heart failure symptoms, and the patient recovered uneventfully after surgery.