title: Persistent hypoxemia occurring as a complication of tricuspid valve endocarditis.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Divisions of Cardiology, Ottawa General Hospital, Ontario, Canada. mturek@ottawahospital.on.ca
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Turek
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Karovitch
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Aaron
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brais
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media