Persistent hypoxemia occurring as a complication of tricuspid valve endocarditis.
A 33-year-old woman had intravenous drug-associated tricuspid valve infective endocarditis. Despite resolution of septic pulmonary emboli, hypoxemia persisted. We report a case of right-to-left shunting across a previously insignificant patent foramen ovale documented by contrast transesophageal echocardiography. Although a rare complication of tricuspid endocarditis, clinicians should be aware of this potential correctable complication.
Turek
M A
MA
Divisions of Cardiology, Ottawa General Hospital, Ontario, Canada. mturek@ottawahospital.on.ca
Karovitch
A
A
Aaron
S D
SD
Brais
M
M
D000328:Adult; D003287:Contrast Media; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000209:etiology*; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000150:complications; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications; D014261:Tricuspid Valve
D003287:Contrast Media