ABSTRACT
Acute appendicitis stands as a prevalent cause necessitating surgical intervention globally, predominantly affecting young adults and children, with notably lower incidence among the elderly. Timely diagnosis facilitates effective management, mitigating the risk of severe complications. In this report, we present the case of a 59-year-old patient whose delayed diagnosis and consequently delayed surgical treatment led to serious complications. After the appendectomy, the patient, due to developing sepsis, was transferred to the intensive care unit. On the seventh postoperative day, complications were found in the form of wound dehiscence along with perforation of the jejunum. The second surgery involved a classic laparotomy, encompassing partial resection of the small intestine, and the creation of a single-barrel ileostomy. Further conservative treatment was implemented, and drainage of the abscess was performed. After treatment in the ICU, the patient was transferred to the surgical ward for further treatment. During the hospital stay, further conservative treatment was implemented, resulting in the improvement of the patient's general condition and resolution of symptoms. The patient was discharged home in optimal general condition with recommendations. After six months, the patient was brought to the surgical ward for reconstructive surgery to reestablish gastrointestinal continuity, which was carried out successfully.
ABSTRACT
Non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) is a very rare condition characterized by sterile thrombi formation on cardiac valves and is often associated with hypercoagulation states, such as malignancy and autoimmune disorders. We present the case of a 74-year-old patient admitted to the intensive care unit with acute respiratory failure, who had a history of COVID-19 infection five months prior to admission, despite having received certified vaccination. The patient developed NBTE involving the mitral valve, alongside acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). In spite of the exclusion of cancer and systemic connective tissue disorders, the patient's condition rapidly deteriorated, leading to treatment-resistant multi-organ failure and demise, despite aggressive management, including anticoagulation therapy, mechanical ventilation, and renal replacement therapy. This case underscores the need for further research into the mechanisms underlying NBTE in the absence of traditional risk factors. Additionally, it highlights the importance of long-term anticoagulant therapy in NBTE management to mitigate the risk of embolic complications. Our case contributes to the growing body of literature identifying a subset of NBTE cancer-free patients with distinct characteristics, including those associated with current or past COVID-19 infection.
