Septic Cerebral Embolisation in Fulminant Mitral Valve Infective Endocarditis

Abstract

A 37-year-old male with known intravenous drug use was admitted with an acute onset of worsening confusion and speech impairment. His vitals and biochemical profile demonstrated severe sepsis, with a brain CT showing several lesions suspicious for cerebral emboli. He then went on to have a bedside transthoracic echocardiogram that was positive for vegetation on the mitral valve, with associated severe mitral regurgitation. Unfortunately, before he was stable enough to be transferred for valve surgery, he suffered an episode of acute pulmonary oedema requiring intubation and ventilation on intensive care unit.

Keywords

• Cerebral emboli
• Mitral valve
• Infective endocarditis
• Staphylococcus aureus