Perforation of the left ventricle due to an abscess of a left ventricular thrombus: survival of the patient with a conservative medical therapy strategy.
A 73-year-old male was admitted due to sepsis with fever up to 40°C after haemorrhoidectomy. Blood cultures identified Staphylococcus haemolyticus. In 1986 he developed left ventricular aneurysm containing an apical thrombus after anterior wall myocardial infarction. In 1994 aorto-coronary bypass grafting was performed without thrombus removal. Echocardiography on admission showed a thrombus formation in the apical aneurysm. In the thrombus an inhomogeneous floating structure in terms of an abscess was identified. Later, a small perforation occurred at the border of the thrombus. Vancomycin and Tygacil were given for 20 days. Repeated echocardiographies showed a thrombus liquefaction and disaggregation after 12 days. Finally, a territorial haemopericardium with residual thrombus developed. Infection of a ventricular thrombus by septicaemia with myocardial wall infiltration by haemolysing Staphylococcus is rare but can result in spontaneous ventricle perforation. The patient survived and is after 18 months alive suffering form heart failure NYHA class II-III.
Department of Cardiology, University of Jena, Jena, Germany. bernhard.brehm@me.com
Bernhard R
BR
Brehm
Marcus
M
Franz
D000038:Abscess / Q000150:complications*; D000368:Aged; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D006341:Heart Rupture / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D006352:Heart Ventricles; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D041162:Staphylococcus haemolyticus; D017741:Survivors; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy