Transesophageal echocardiographic identification of an aortic root to right atrial fistula in a patient with acute streptococcal aortic valve bacterial endocarditis.
We describe the case of a patient with acute aortic valve endocarditis complicated by aortic insufficiency, perivalvular abscess, and aortic root to right atrial fistula caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae bacterial infective endocarditis. Although typically of low sensitivity for the diagnosis of myocardial abscess and similar complications of infective endocarditis, transthoracic echocardiogram successfully identified this relatively uncommon complication that was later confirmed by transesophageal echocardiography and at time of operation.
Cardiac Echocardiography Laboratory, Vancouver Hospital, The University of British Columbia, Canada.
Paul G
PG
Novak
Saul
S
Isserow
Virginia
V
Gudas
John
J
Jue
D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000150:complications* / Q000382:microbiology; D006325:Heart Atria; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000150:complications*; D016157:Vascular Fistula / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery