Atypical marantic endocarditis

Systemic embolization due to non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis: An autopsy case report and mini review of the literature

Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis is a rare, non-infectious complication associated with hypercoagulable states, such as malignancies and autoimmune diseases. Due to the difficulty distinguishing marantic endocarditis from infective endocarditis, the diagnosis is often delayed or even a postmortem finding. We present the case of a 70-year-old Caucasian female with marantic endocarditis secondary to metastatic duodenal adenocarcinoma. The patient presented with a short history of memory deficits, personality disturbances, and left homonymous hemianopia. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging showed multi-territorial bihemispheric cerebral infarctions. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed native mitral valve endocarditis, and serial blood cultures remained negative. Despite antibiotic therapy, the patient's condition continuously deteriorated, and she died within 3 weeks after her initial presentation. Postmortem examination showed a non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis. Early clinical suspicion and prompt diagnosis are of decisive importance for the survival of the patients.

Unveiling Lung Adenocarcinoma: Non-bacterial Thrombotic Endocarditis as the Debut Sign

Non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) involves the deposition of fibrin and platelets on heart valves, frequently leading to systemic embolism. The association between NBTE and cancer demands thorough investigation in cases lacking an evident cause. This case report elucidates the clinical course of a nonsmoking woman in her sixties with NBTE linked to pulmonary adenocarcinoma. The patient, who had a history of multiple sclerosis (MS) and was receiving dimethyl fumarate treatment, presented to the emergency department with stroke-like symptoms. Diagnostic challenges arose due to preexisting motor sensory impairment from MS. Initial evaluations revealed hypocapnia and elevated inflammatory markers. Blood cultures were obtained twice, and imaging confirmed pneumonia, left pleural effusion, and chronic pulmonary embolism while excluding acute vascular events or intracranial hemorrhage. The first transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) indicated no cardiac abnormalities. Treatment encompassed parenteral antibiotics, systemic anticoagulation, and admission to medical floors. Although the initial treatment yielded a positive clinical response, subsequent complications emerged. On the tenth day, the patient required additional interventions, including broad-spectrum antibiotics and supplemental oxygen. A follow-up chest X-ray revealed persistent pneumonia and pleural effusion, and blood cultures upon admission returned negative. A subsequent head MRI confirmed an embolic stroke and displayed evidence of MS progression. Around the twentieth day, empirical treatment for infective endocarditis was initiated, and an 8 mm vegetation on the aortic valve was identified via transesophageal echocardiography (TOE). Acute pulmonary edema prompted a transfer to the intermediate care unit. Further investigations, including left thoracocentesis and CT, unveiled exudate and metastatic lesions in the liver, ilium, and kidney. Unfortunately, on the twenty-fifth day, the patient experienced acute myocardial infarction, right leg ischemia, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and shock. Pleural fluid analysis revealed malignant cells suggestive of lung adenocarcinoma. This case underscores the pivotal role of timely NBTE recognition and the search for malignancy when workup for infective endocarditis and autoimmune panels is negative. Moreover, it emphasizes the significance of vigilant monitoring, particularly in immunocompromised individuals or those with preexisting neurological deficits, especially when new neurological symptoms manifest. These insights significantly contribute to the comprehension of NBTE management and its implications for analogous patient cohorts.

Recurrent Thromboembolic Events While on Anticoagulation Lead to the Diagnosis of Metastatic Lung Adenocarcinoma: A Case Report

Lung cancer can lead to hypercoagulability that causes thromboembolic events such as pulmonary emboli, deep vein thrombosis, ischemic strokes, and non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis. While it is not uncommon for cancer to cause thromboembolic events, it is unusual for thrombotic events to be the first manifestation of cancer. In the following report, we review the case of a 59-year-old woman who presented with melena and abdominal pain. She had a pertinent history of multiple thromboembolisms while on anticoagulation four months before this presentation. Upon admission, it was discovered that the patient had new pulmonary emboli, and further workup revealed that her gastrointestinal symptoms were due to ischemic colitis. While initial imaging showed no evident masses that would heighten suspicion of cancer, she had persistent abdominal lymphadenopathy. Therefore, she also underwent an abdominal lymph node biopsy which revealed metastatic lung adenocarcinoma, a possible cause of her hypercoagulable state. This case report highlights the importance of considering malignancy in the differential of a patient with recurrent thromboembolism and raises the question of whether standardized screening for malignancy in patients with multiple thromboembolic events would be beneficial.

Lung Cancer as a Leading Cause among Paraneoplastic Non-Bacterial Thrombotic Endocarditis: A Meta-Analysis of Individual Patients' Data

Hypercoagulability is strongly associated with cancer and may result in non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE). The aim of our meta-analysis was to explore the demographics and characteristics of this condition in cancer. Databases were systematically searched. The outcomes were to identify the annual trend in premortem diagnosis among the entire cohort and different subgroups and to identify differences in characteristics and survival in the considered population. A total of 121 studies with 144 patients were included. The proportion of marantic endocarditis associated with lung cancer was 0.29 (95% CI, 0.21-0.37; p < 0.001), that associated with pancreatic cancer was 0.19 (95% CI, 0.13-0.27; p < 0.001), that associated with advanced cancer stage (metastasis) was 0.69 (95% CI, 0.61-0.76; p < 0.001), and that associated with adenocarcinoma was 0.65 (95% CI, 0.56-0.72; p < 0.001). Median and 6-month overall survival (OS) were 1.3 months and 32.3%, respectively, with 6-month OS of 20.8% vs. 37.0% in lung vs. other cancers, respectively (p = 0.06) and 42.9% vs. 31.1% among those who underwent intervention vs. those who did not (p = 0.07). Cases discovered in recent years had better survival (HR = 0.98 (95% CI, 0.96-0.99; p = 0.003). While cancer-associated NBTE is a rare entity, lung cancers were the most common tumor site and are frequently associated with more advanced and metastatic cancer stages. The prognosis is dismal, especially among lung cancers.

Case report: marantic endocarditis in renal cell carcinoma: nephrectomy a treatment

Background

Marantic endocarditis (non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis) is a rare condition that involves non-infectious thrombotic lesions typically of the aortic and mitral valves. It is predominantly associated with malignancy and less commonly systemic lupus erythematosus. In this case, we report a patient with marantic endocarditis secondary to a renal cell carcinoma that was successfully treated with nephrectomy and anticoagulation.

Case summary

A 65-year-old male patient with embolic signs and symptoms was found to have non-infective thrombotic vegetations on three cardiac valves through transoesophageal echocardiography. Computed tomography revealed a 70 mm renal mass that confirmed to be a grade two clear-cell renal cell carcinoma. Nephrectomy and anticoagulation led to resolution of the embolic symptoms and of the valvular vegetations.

Discussion

The diagnosis of marantic endocarditis requires high clinical suspicion in a patient who presents with features of embolization. Incidence is highest in patients with an underlying malignancy, particularly adenocarcinoma. This case highlights the importance of echocardiography in diagnosis, removal of the source of thrombus, and prompt treatment with anticoagulation.