Embolic events in infective endocarditis: a review and report of 4 cases.
Infective endocarditis (IE) remains a dangerous disease in terms of morbidity and mortality. Valve damage with or without congestive heart failure, paravalvular extension, embolization of vegetation, damage due to immunological involvement and septic shock are the main complications of IE. Embolic events are frequent and life-threatening complications of IE. In previous series, the reported figures of embolic complication vary from 10 to 50%. We describe four cases of patients with IE and peripheral embolization. In this paper, we will briefly discuss the role of echocardiography, infective microorganisms and clinical aspects in the prediction of an embolic event. Therapeutic strategies are discussed.
Walpot
J
J
Department of Cardiology, Ziekenhuis Walcheren, Vlissingen, The Netherlands. walpot@zwv.nl
Klazen
C
C
Blok
W
W
van Zwienen
J
J
D000368:Aged; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D004617:Embolism / Q000209:etiology*; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000453:epidemiology; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure