[Development of pseudoaneurysms in endocarditis despite clinically well-controlled infection. The value of routine transesophageal echocardiography].
European guidelines do not recommend transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) during the course of an apparent uncomplicated treatment of infective endocarditis (IE). We report two cases where routine TEE at the end of treatment showed formation of pseudoaneurysms despite lack of any symptoms or signs of infection. We suggest that our finding be explained by a local dissection in the weakened but sterile paravalvular tissue. Therefore, TEE should be considered as a routine procedure in IE before antibiotic treatment is stopped, irrespective of the patient's course.
Abildstrøm
Steen Zabell
SZ
Gentofte Hospital, Kardiologisk Afdeling P, Hellerup.
Søgaard
Peter
P
Bruun
Niels Eske
NE