Splenic haematoma complicating infective endocarditis: role of preoperative splenic artery embolization.
Splenic involvement is not uncommon among patients with infective endocarditis (IE). These patients are susceptible to massive intra-abdominal haemorrhage resulting either from splenic rupture complicating endocarditis or from complication of major splenectomy. We report a patient with splenic haematoma complicating IE with progressive cardiac decompensation and valve destruction warranting early surgery. Preoperative splenic artery embolization was successfully performed and the patient subsequently received life-saving cardiac valvular replacement surgery. The favourable outcome of our patient depicts a pivotal role of preoperative splenic artery embolization in haemodynamically compromised patients undergoing cardiac valvular surgery for IE.
Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, SAR, China.
Natalie S M
NS
Wong
Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, SAR, China wonhl1@surgery.cuhk.edu.hk.
Randolph H L
RH
Wong
Department of Imaging and Intervention Radiology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, SAR, China.
Simon C H
SC
Yu
Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, SAR, China.
Calvin S H
CS
Ng
D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D004696:Endocarditis; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013157:Splenic Artery / Q000601:surgery*; D013158:Splenic Diseases
Cardiac surgery; Infective endocarditis; Splenic haematoma