Open AccessRuptured Sinus of Valsalva and Complete Atrioventricular Block Complicating Fulminant Course of Infective Endocarditis: A Case Report and Literature Review
Author(s) -
Chu ChihSheng,
Lee KunTai,
Lee ShuoTsan,
Cheng KaiHung,
Voon WenChol,
Sheu ShengHsiung,
Lai WenTer,
Sheu ChauChyun
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the kaohsiung journal of medical sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.439
H-Index - 36
eISSN - 2410-8650
pISSN - 1607-551X
DOI - 10.1016/s1607-551x(09)70329-8
Subject(s) - medicine , infective endocarditis , septic shock , endocarditis , fulminant , atrioventricular block , sepsis , surgery , bacteremia , sinus (botany) , shock (circulatory) , cardiology , heart failure , antibiotics , botany , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , genus
Patients with infective endocarditis usually developed persistent fever and heart failure, especially when the valve structures are invaded and destroyed. Persistent bacteremia often leads to severe sepsis or overwhelming septic shock. Septic emboli from the vegetation will possibly result in systemic thromboembolism with multiple organ infarction. Patients with infective endocarditis have been reported to present with either ruptured sinus of Valsalva or complete atrioventricular block. However, both of these serious complications occurring in a single patient is rare. In this case report, we present a 54‐year‐old man with a previous history of alcoholic cirrhosis and chronic renal failure who suffered from a fulminant course of infective endocarditis. Simultaneously, ruptured sinus of Valsalva and complete atrioventricular block further complicated the preexisting septic shock and multiple organ failure.