Perivalvular pseudoaneurysm caused by streptococcus dysgalactiae in the presence of prosthetic aortic valve endocarditis

Ann Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2012;18(3):262-5. doi: 10.5761/atcs.cr.11.01750.

Abstract

A 62-year-old man with a medical history of aortic valve replacement was referred to our hospital with high-grade fever. Blood culture was positive for Streptococcus dysgalactiae, and the echocardiogram showed edematous aortic annulus, suggesting a perivalvular abscess. Treatment with antibiotics was started, which showed progressive improvement. The echocardiogram at 2 weeks after admission showed progression of the perivalvular abscess, resulting in the formation of a perivalvular pseudoaneruysm, which revealed rapid enlargement. The patient underwent surgical resection of a 20-mm pseudoaneurysm, originating from the right and left coronary cusp. Complete resection of the infective tissue was performed, and an aortic root replacement was done. This case highlights that a frequent follow-up should be performed in case of perivalvular abscess, because of the risk of pseudoaneurysm formation, which may cause a life-threatening outcome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aneurysm, Infected / diagnosis
  • Aneurysm, Infected / microbiology*
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Aortic Valve / surgery*
  • Debridement
  • Echocardiography
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / diagnosis
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / microbiology*
  • Heart Aneurysm / diagnosis
  • Heart Aneurysm / microbiology*
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis / adverse effects*
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / adverse effects*
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / instrumentation
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multidetector Computed Tomography
  • Prosthesis Design
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / diagnosis
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / microbiology*
  • Reoperation
  • Streptococcal Infections / diagnosis
  • Streptococcal Infections / microbiology*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents