Acquired Gerbode Defect in a Patient With Infective Endocarditis of Bicuspid Aortic Valve

Abstract

Aortic valve abscess is a fatal complication of infective endocarditis. Transthoracic echocardiography is the initial imaging obtained in suspected infective endocarditis. However, its accuracy in detecting cardiac complications remains low, thus should be followed by transesophageal echocardiography if the clinical situation permits. Here, we present a case of a bicuspid aortic valve infective endocarditis caused by Streptococcus agalactiae and complicated with aortic valve abscess and acquired Gerbode defect, which appeared as a tricuspid valve vegetation on transthoracic echocardiography.

Keywords: acquired; bicuspid aortic valve; gerbode defect; infective endocarditis; streptococcus agalactiae.