Infected Right Ventricle Thrombus as a Cause of Persistent Sepsis

Cureus. 2020 Oct 1;12(10):e10751. doi: 10.7759/cureus.10751.

Abstract

The presentation of fevers in a patient with active intravenous (IV) drug use is often challenging, as there is a wide range of both infectious and noninfectious disorders that can cause fevers. A thorough diagnostic workup is essential in identifying the etiology of these fevers. We report a rare case of an infected right ventricular (RV) thrombus as a cause of persistent fever and sepsis in a 46-year-old patient with IV drug use. The patient continued to have persistent bacteremia inspite of appropriate IV antibiotics. Hence, the patient warranted a cardiothoracic surgical excision of the infected RV thrombus following which the patient showed remarkable improvement.

Keywords: cocaine; infected cardiac thrombus; intravenous drug user; mssa bacteremia; sepsis; surgical resection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports