Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery (Jul 2009)
Mitral paravalvular abscess with left ventriculo-atrial fistula in a patient on dialysis
Abstract
Abstract Background Infective endocarditis in hemodialysis patients is challenging but is becoming more common recently. Case report A 64-year-old man with end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis presented with infective endocarditis of mitral valve and coronary artery disease after commencing training for home hemodialysis. During a course of antibiotic treatment the patient developed left ventriculo-atrial fistula due to mitral paravalvular abscess. Abscess debridement followed by reconstruction of the mitral annulus with fresh autologous pericardial patch and mitral valve replacement using a mechanical prosthesis with concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting was performed successfully. Conclusion Timely diagnosis, proper antibiotic treatment and early surgical intervention including aggressive debridement should improve the outcome of this high-risk disease.