Multimodality imaging of multivalvular endocarditis after transcatheter aortic valve replacement

J Cardiovasc Comput Tomogr. 2015 Jan-Feb;9(1):68-70. doi: 10.1016/j.jcct.2014.11.002. Epub 2014 Nov 13.

Abstract

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has emerged as an alternative to surgery for severe aortic stenosis in non-operable and high surgical risk patients. While endocarditis following TAVR is rare, the significant co-morbidities commonly found in this patient population can complicate evaluation and management. A case of TAVR endocarditis initially diagnosed by cardiac computed tomography angiography and confirmed with transesophageal echocardiogram is presented. In addition to demonstrating the appearance of vegetations and perivalvular involvement in endocarditis complicating TAVR, this case illustrates the utility of cardiac CT techniques in imaging suspected TAVR endocarditis.

Keywords: Cardiac computed tomography; Endocarditis; Prosthetic valve; TAVR.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / diagnostic imaging*
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / etiology
  • Female
  • Heart Valve Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Heart Valve Diseases / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Multimodal Imaging / methods*
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / diagnostic imaging*
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / etiology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
  • Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement / adverse effects*