ABSTRACT
In the COVID-19 pandemic, to minimize aerosol-generating procedures, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) was utilized at our institution as an alternative to transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for diagnosing infective endocarditis (IE). This retrospective study evaluated the clinical utility of CMR for detecting IE among 14 patients growing typical microorganisms on blood cultures or meeting modified Duke Criteria. Seven cases were treated for IE. In 2 cases, CMR results were notable for possible leaflet vegetations and were clinically meaningful in guiding antibiotic therapy, obtaining further imaging, and/or pursuing surgical intervention. In 2 cases, vegetations were missed on CMR but detected on TEE. In 3 cases, CMR was non-diagnostic, but patients were treated empirically. There was no difference in antibiotic duration or outcomes over 1 year. CMR demonstrated mixed results in diagnosing valvular vegetations and guiding clinical decision-making. Further prospective controlled trials of CMR Vs TEE are warranted.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Endocarditis, Bacterial , Endocarditis , Humans , COVID-19/complications , Retrospective Studies , Pandemics , Endocarditis/diagnostic imaging , Endocarditis/therapy , Endocarditis, Bacterial/diagnostic imaging , Endocarditis, Bacterial/pathology , Echocardiography, Transesophageal/methods , Magnetic Resonance ImagingABSTRACT
Bioprosthetic valve thrombosis has been considered to be extremely unlikely, typically freeing patients from the potential complications of long-term anticoagulation. However, there have been several documented cases of bioprosthetic valve thrombosis and there are concerns that its incidence may be underreported. Experience with diagnosis and management of this condition is limited. Here, we present a case of acute massive bioprosthetic mitral thrombosis manifesting as fulminant heart failure.
