Diagnosis and treatment of infective endocarditis in pregnancy: a case report

Contemporary management of infective endocarditis in pregnancy

INTRODUCTION

Infective endocarditis (IE) during pregnancy is a rare condition that is associated with a high level of morbidity and mortality. The epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis have changed significantly in the last two decades. The declining incidence of rheumatic heart disease, improved life expectancy with congenital heart disease, advances in cardiac surgery and cardiac devices, rise in resistant microorganisms, complications of the opioid epidemic, and increasing maternal age are some of the many factors contributing to these changes.

AREAS COVERED

This article explores existing literature on the topic including case reports, case series, registry data, and clinical guidelines. The focus of this article is the evolving epidemiology, predisposing factors and preventative measures, clinical presentation, investigation, management, and potential complications of IE in pregnancy.

EXPERT OPINION

Robust prospective data on the management of IE in pregnancy is lacking, and obtaining these data will be very challenging. It is imperative that international registries are used to provide data on best clinical practices and inform future clinical guidelines. Multimodal imaging should be incorporated in the investigation of complicated cases. A multidisciplinary approach to the management of this rare and life-threatening condition is essential to ensure the best outcomes for both the mother and the fetus.

Infective Endocarditis during Pregnancy-Keep It Safe and Simple!

The diagnosis of infective endocarditis (IE) during pregnancy is accompanied by a poor prognosis for both mother and fetus in the absence of prompt management by multidisciplinary teams. We searched the electronic databases of PubMed, MEDLINE and EMBASE for clinical studies addressing the management of infective endocarditis during pregnancy, with the aim of realizing a literature review ranging from risk factors to diagnostic investigations to optimal therapeutic management for mother and fetus alike. The presence of previous cardiovascular pathologies such as rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease, prosthetic valves, hemodialysis, intravenous catheters or immunosuppression are the main risk factors predisposing patients to IE during pregnancy. The identification of modern risk factors such as intracardiac devices and intravenous drug administration as well as genetic diagnostic methods such as cell-free deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) next-generation sequencing require that these cases be addressed in multidisciplinary teams. Guiding treatment to eradicate infection and protect the fetus simultaneously creates challenges for cardiologists and gynecologists alike.

Infective endocarditis in pregnancy requiring simultaneous emergent caesarean section and mitral valve replacement: a case report

Background

Although infective endocarditis (IE) in pregnancy is rare, maternal and foetal mortality rates are very high. We herein report the successful treatment of a case of IE with simultaneous emergent caesarean section and mitral valve replacement performed at 27 weeks of gestation.

Case summary

A 29-year-old woman at 27 weeks of gestation was referred for congestive heart failure (HF) due to infective endocarditis (IE) with large mobile vegetations and overt disruption of the mitral valve. We held a multi-disciplinary conference and decided to perform mitral valve replacement immediately after caesarean section because of the high risk of embolism and sepsis, worsening and unstable haemodynamics, and sufficient foetal maturity for delivery. Although coronary artery embolization and asymptomatic multiple cerebral infarctions were observed, her post-operative course was uneventful. Ultimately, the patient was discharged 29 days after surgery. The neonate was treated in the NICU until the expected delivery date and was discharged home on Day 95 of life.

Discussion

Difficulties are associated with the selection of an operative plan and its timing for IE during pregnancy. Heart failure due to IE requires urgent surgery when medical treatment cannot stabilize the patient. However, cardiopulmonary bypass and medicine for pregnant women adversely affect the foetus. Therefore, the timing of surgery and delivery needs to be selected by a multi-disciplinary team and in consideration of the maternal condition and foetal maturity.

Cardiac surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass in pregnancy: report of four cases

Background

Open heart surgery during pregnancy is relatively rare at home and abroad, and there is a higher risk and probability of maternal and infant death. How to carry out heart valve replacement under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) under the premise of ensuring the safety of mother and child is the focus of attention at home and abroad.

Case introduction

We reported four cases of cardiac surgeries under CPB during pregnancy performed in our hospital from March 2020 to March 2021. Two of the patients continued their pregnancy after cardiac surgery under CPB. Three patients had infective endocarditis and the other one had an ascending aortic aneurysm. Three patients underwent heart valve placement with the mechanical mitral valve when the other one underwent Bentall surgery. The operations of four cases were all successful, and further follow-up evaluation of the pregnant women and fetuses showed no abnormalities. The patients' detailed information is shown in the following table.

Conclusion

Heart disease during pregnancy should be treated actively and proactively when the patient has obvious symptoms. Heart valve replacement under CPB will be the first choice, and this may become the primary surgical treatment for symptomatic heart disease during pregnancy.