A Rare Case; Aortic Root Abscess and Aortic Valve Dehiscence in a Patient with Mechanical Aortic Valve Replacement Who Presents to the Emergency Department with Dyspnea and Fever
Author:
Abstract
Keywords
Abstract
Infective endocarditis (IE) is a life-threatening disease with high mortality and morbidity. Among the many reasons; Mechanical heart valve replacement is also included. One of the most serious complications of IE is aortic root abscess. IE may also develop in patients who have undergone mechanical aortic valve replacement, and the clinic may be complicated by the dehiscence of the mechanical valve. Patients may present with general symptoms such as dyspnea and fever, common causes of admission to the emergency department. Still, If the patient has a history of heart valve replacement at any time, even with these symptoms and signs alone, the physician's diagnosis of IE should be kept in mind among the evaluations. In accordance with the modified Duke criteria for the diagnosis of IE, echocardiography is of high necessity and importance. Computed Tomographic Thoracic Tngiography (CTA) is recommended when a paravalvular abscess is suspected. Surgical treatment is recommended when an aortic root abscess is diagnosed.
In the aforementioned case, who applied with complaints of hemoptysis, dyspnea and fever, mechanical aortic valve dehiscence was diagnosed in transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and IE was considered etiologically. An aortic root abscess was also diagnosed in the transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) performed during the patient's hospitalization in the intensive care unit, and thus he was referred to the advanced centre for surgical treatment.