Periaortic abscess forming pulsatile sac around graft in a patient with prosthetic valve endocarditis after bentall operation

Abstract

A 62-year-old man with high fever, general fatigue, and history of transient ischemic attack was transferred to our cardiology clinic with high clinic suspicious of endocarditis. He had a history of mitral ring annuloplasty and coronary artery bypass grafting operation before many years ago and reoperation for aortic dissection as Bentall procedure about 3 months ago. Blood tests showed leukocytosis with massive elevation of C-reactive protein, modest elevation of troponin, marked elevation of International Normalized Ratio, mild anemia, and hypoalbuminemia. Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) revealed a 4-mm × 15-mm round mobile mass originating from the anterior part of the mitral annular ring. In addition, there were a sac surrounding aortic graft and surrounding aneurismal aorta suggests a separation of graft because of possible aortic perivalvular abscess. There was blood flow into the sac and extensive thrombus with mobile component was seen in it. Blood cultures were positive for Streptococcus pneumoniae. Vancomycin, gentamicin, and rifampicin were chosen as antibiotic regimen. Early surgery planned for endocarditis and drained abscess cavity. However, the patient was persistently refused the third heart surgery operation. Repeat TEE showed the absence of vegetation on mitral valve and evident shrinkage of thrombus. Chest X-ray showed large left pleural effusion. Computed tomography with contrast enhancement confirmed this finding and revealed that contrast leak to the periaortic area and spreading a path under pulmonary artery to adjacent of the anterior wall of left ventricle. Thoracentesis was performed. Fistula to left pleura was suspected but not clearly confirmed. At 6 weeks of hospitalization, he clinically deteriorated. Due to confusional state, informed consent was obtained from attending relatives. The patient was transferred to the operating room. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was initiated and thoracotomy was performed. Dehiscence of the aortic valve was seen. Infected tissues were extracted and repair with new prosthesis aortic valve was performed. Despite all resuscitation efforts, the patient died.

Keywords

• Abscess
• aortic valve
• Bentall
• dehiscence
• pulsatile sac