Chronic infection and severe mitral regurgitation: first of all, do not harm

Abstract

techniques of mitral valve repair has improved in the last decades. Percutaneous approach is now a reliable and safe therapy in those patients with high surgical risk. However, the presence of an implanted prothesis increases the risk of endocarditis. we describe a case of a 75-year-old man with medical history of recurrent cellulitis due to chronic lymphedema, who had percutaneous edge-to-edge mitral valve treatment. After three months he developed fever without any specific symptoms. Emocolture were positive for Staphilococcus lugdunensis. Transesophageal echocardiogram demonstrated a huge vegetation at the level of Edwards Pascal device. Patients was then referred to cardiac surgery for mitral valve replacement with bioprothesis. in patients needing a prothesis implantation the management and treatment of chronic infection is of paramount importance to reduce the risk of prothesis infection procedure. Endocarditis after percutaneous edge-to-edge mitral valve treatment represents a rare but a life-threatening condition.

Keywords: Chronic infection; Echocardiogram; Endocraditis; Mitral valve.