Multi-embolic ST-elevation Myocardial Infarction Secondary to Aortic Valve Endocarditis

Fatal Embolic ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Secondary to Healed-Phase Mitral Valve Infective Endocarditis

Embolic myocardial infarction (MI) caused by infective endocarditis (IE) is rare, but it is increasingly recognized as an important complication. This complication typically occurs in patients with aortic valve endocarditis during the acute phase of the infection. It is also known to have a high mortality rate; however, the best practice for its management is unclear owing to scarce available data. In addition, most cases of embolic acute MI (AMI) caused by IE are indirectly diagnosed with a combination of angiographic examination such as coronary angiography or cardiac computed tomography. Herein, we report a case of fatal embolic ST-elevation MI (STEMI) caused by mitral valve IE during the healed phase, which was clearly proven by the pathology findings.

Coronary Embolism: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Coronary embolism is a rare and potentially fatal phenomenon that occurs primarily in patients with valvular heart disease and atrial fibrillation. There is a lack of consensus regarding the diagnosis, treatment, and management of coronary embolism, leaving management at the discretion of the treating physician. Through this review, we aim to establish a better understanding of coronary embolism, and to identify treatment options - invasive and non-invasive - that may be used to manage coronary embolism.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Our systematic review included 147 documented cases of coronary embolism from case reports and case series. The average age of our population was 54.2 ± 17.6 years. The most common causes of coronary embolism included infective endocarditis (22.4%), atrial fibrillation (17.0%), and prosthetic heart valve thrombosis (16.3%). Initial presentation was indistinguishable from an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) due to coronary atherosclerosis, and the diagnosis required a high level of suspicion and evaluation with angiography. Treatment strategies included, but were not limited to, thrombectomy, thrombolysis, balloon angioplasty and stent placement. Myocardial dysfunction on echocardiography was observed in over 80% of patients following coronary embolism. "Good outcomes" were reported in 68.7% of case reports and case series, with a mortality rate of 12.9%.

CONCLUSION

Coronary embolism is an under-recognized etiology of myocardial infarction with the potential for significant morbidity and mortality. To improve outcomes, physicians should strive for early diagnosis and intervention based on the underlying etiology. Thrombectomy may be considered with the goal of rapid restoration of coronary flow.

Infective endocarditis complicated with nonobstructive ST elevation myocardial infarction related to septic embolism with intracranial hemorrhage: A case report

RATIONALE

Infective endocarditis (IE) complicated with obstructive ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has been reported in the literature and which were mostly related to coronary artery embolism, obstruction, or compression. However, there has been no reported case discussing about IE complicated with nonobstructive STEMI.

PATIENT CONCERNS

In this report, we report a 38-year-old female suffering from intermittent fever and was later diagnosed as IE. Initially antibiotic was given and mitral valve surgery was also arranged due to large vegetation with severe mitral regurgitation. Nevertheless, sudden conscious loss with desaturation happened and brain computed tomography (CT) showed intracranial and subdural hemorrhage related to possible septic embolism. In addition, electrocardiography (ECG) revealed ST elevation over precordial leads, and elevation of cardiac enzymes was also noted.

DIAGNOSES

Emergent coronary angiography was arranged but result showed normal coronary arteries without any evidence of stenosis. The diagnoses of IE complicated with nonobstructive STEMI were made.

INTERVENTIONS

After coronary angiography, the patient underwent craniotomy and subdural hematoma removal. Surprisingly, follow-up ECG also revealed ST segment resolution.

OUTCOMES

The patient received full course antibiotic treatment and follow-up brain CT also showed improvement of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and subdural hemorrhage. Because follow-up echocardiography still revealed severe mitral regurgitation with mitral valve prolapse due to leaflet destruction with partially decreased vegetation size, mitral valve replacement with bioprosthetic valve was performed and the patient was finally discharged smoothly.

LESSONS

In our knowledge, this case should be the 1st case of IE complicated with nonobstructive STEMI, which reminds physicians that nonobstructive STEMI is still an extremely rare but possible complication of IE and septic embolism related ICH should be carefully surveyed in this rare patient group.

Gemella Endocarditis Presenting as an ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction

Acute myocardial infarction from septic embolization is a rare initial presentation of endocarditis. We report the case of a 67-year-old man who presented with acute chest pain, in whom emergency cardiac catheterization revealed findings that suggested coronary embolism. The patient was found to have Gemella endocarditis, with its initial presentation an embolic acute ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. We suggest that endocarditis be considered among the potential causes of acute myocardial infarction.

Percutaneous Coronary Intervention for Septic Emboli in the Left Main Trunk as a Complication of Infective Endocarditis

Infective endocarditis (IE) complicated by acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is frequently fatal and may require emergent interventions. However, the optimal treatment of this rare condition remains controversial as it lacks established guidelines. We successfully treated a patient with IE complicated by AMI during the acute phase using percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) followed by surgery. A 73-year-old man was diagnosed with IE of the mitral and aortic valves caused by Streptococcus oralis. Four weeks after the initiation of antibiotics sensitive to the causative bacteria, he suddenly developed AMI manifested by chest pain and dyspnoea with cardiovascular collapse. Emergent coronary angiography revealed that the myocardial infarction was secondary to septic emboli in the left main trunk. Emergent PCI comprising aspiration and stent deployment, was successfully performed, and his vital signs were immediately stabilised. He subsequently underwent mitral and aortic valve replacement and debridement without major post-operative complications. Although the optimal treatment strategy for haemodynamically unstable AMI secondary to IE requires further discussion, the present case indicates the importance of early diagnosis and the potential effectiveness of aggressive PCI as a bridge to the following surgery.