A unique case report of mitral valve endocarditis associated with coronary stent infection

A case report of left circumflex stent infection and mycotic aneurysm: a rare but life-threatening complication of percutaneous coronary intervention

BACKGROUND

Coronary stent infections are an uncommon but deadly complication of percutaneous coronary intervention. Mortality remains as high as 40-60% even with adequate treatment. We report such an interesting case of left circumflex stent (LCX) infection and mycotic aneurysm that was successfully managed with antibiotics and surgery.

CASE PRESENTATION

A middle-aged man who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to the left circumflex artery four weeks prior was referred as a case of pyrexia of unknown origin, not responding to antibiotics, and colchicine started for suspected Dressler syndrome. Although the inflammatory markers were elevated, the results of the blood culture did not show any growth. Echocardiography showed a doubtful echogenic structure in the left atrioventricular groove and mild pericardial effusion, and a stent infection was suspected. PET scan showed focal metabolic activity in the region of the LCX stent, with metabolically active supraclavicular and paratracheal lymph nodes, and a coronary angiogram revealed an aneurysm arising distal to the stented LCX. A diagnosis of stent infection and associated mycotic aneurysm was made, and the patient underwent surgery which included aneurysm repair, stent retrieval, and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) to the major and terminal OM. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged without complications.

CONCLUSIONS

It is important to investigate the possibility of coronary stent infection in individuals experiencing prolonged fever following PCI. PET scans and coronary angiograms can aid in diagnosis when echocardiograms are inconclusive. Adequate antibiotic therapy and timely surgery are crucial for successfully managing coronary stent infections.

Coronary Stent Infection: A Systematic Review of Literature

Coronary stent infection is a rare yet serious complication of coronary artery stenting, with potentially significant morbidity and mortality. This systematic review aimed to comprehensively assess the available evidence on the diagnosis, management, and outcomes of coronary stent infection. A comprehensive search of electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Scopus, was conducted from inception until March 2023, in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. A total of 1 case series and 41 case reports, covering a cumulative sample size of 44 patients, were included in the analysis. The predominant stent types were drug-eluting stents in 22 studies, bare-metal stents in 3 studies, and a combination of drug-eluting stents and bare-metal stents in 4 studies. Staphylococcus aureus was the predominant identified organism in microbiological profiles. Primary outcomes, including mortality, morbidity, and recurrence rates, were evaluated. The aggregate mortality rate across studies was 18%, underscoring the severity of coronary stent infections. Morbidity ranged from 3% to 60%, with a spectrum of complications such as sepsis, heart failure, and embolic events. Recurrence rates varied from 3% to 33%, emphasizing the importance of effective management. Treatment strategies encompassed antibiotics alone, antibiotics with stent removal, and antibiotics with stent retention, with the duration of antibiotic therapy ranging from 2 weeks to 12 months. The optimal management strategy remains uncertain due to limited high-quality evidence. Early diagnosis and treatment were emphasized as critical factors in improving outcomes. Prophylactic antibiotics during stenting procedures and increased awareness among healthcare providers were suggested as preventive measures.

'A series of unfortunate events': a case report of infective endocarditis resulting from ventricular arrhythmia ablation

Background

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is the most effective non-pharmacological approach in the reduction of ventricular tachycardia (VT) recurrence. However, it is crucial to thoroughly screen every patient for contraindications for RFA and provide appropriate pharmacological prophylaxis, if needed, since adverse effects may be fatal.

Case summary

A 77-year-old male with multi-vessel coronary artery disease, heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III), with implantable cardioverter-defibrillator was admitted to our clinic due to recurrent life-threatening VT. The patient presented several concomitant diseases: dyslipidaemia, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease in Stage IIIB. He had a history of two myocardial infarctions and coronary artery bypass grafts complicated by mediastinitis and dehiscence of a sternotomy scar (2013). Radiofrequency ablation and pace mapping of VT were performed in sterile conditions, but no pre-operative antibiotic prophylaxis was administered. There were no local or general complications in the post-operative period. The patient was discharged from the clinic in good condition. A week later, the patient suffered from septic shock and infective endocarditis of mitral valve complicated with infiltration of the ventricular septum, wall dissection of the left ventricle (LV), pseudoaneurysm, and abscess of the LV. At the time of the second hospitalization extensive dental carries were found and oral cavity sanitation was performed. Due to the severity of the condition, patient did not survive.

Conclusion

Oral cavity infections are common but often overlooked, mainly when the RFA procedure is urgent. A thorough physical examination, including a dental check-up, is crucial to minimize the risk of potential infection of the endocardial tissue and maximize the benefits of the therapy. Still, it is possible that the myocardial infection was not a result of oral cavity infection but a result of other undiagnosed and untreated infection. Contamination of the procedure site with patients' own microbiota or foreign microorganisms by the medical personnel is also a likely and unfortunate scenario. The presented case highlights the significance of not only prophylaxis, screening, and treatment of possible inflammation sites before RFA but also the need for sustaining sanitary standards and sterile conditions.