Echocardiography in nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis: from autopsy to clinical entity.
Bacteria-free verrucae, frequently termed "non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis," have been recognized in autoimmune disorders as well as in neo-plastic diseases. The antemortem diagnosis of non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis is rare, and most existing data result from postmortem examinations. In 3 prospective echocardiographic studies we found typical cardiac valvular lesions in patients with primary antiphospholipid syndrome, myelo-proliferative disorders, and solid malignant tumors. Cardiac lesions associated with these 3 different entities had common echocardiographic appearance and correlated positively with thromboembolic events. The possibility of common pathogenesis is suggested, and clinical significance is discussed.
Reisner
S A
SA
Department of Cardiology, Internal Medicine C, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel. rshimon@tx.technion.ac.il
Brenner
B
B
Haim
N
N
Edoute
Y
Y
Markiewicz
W
W
D016736:Antiphospholipid Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D004696:Endocarditis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D009196:Myeloproliferative Disorders / Q000150:complications