[Value of transesophageal echocardiography in the diagnosis of paravalvular aortic abscess]

G Ital Cardiol. 1994 Nov;24(11):1407-12.
[Article in Italian]

Abstract

Paravalvular abscesses are a serious complication of aortic endocarditis. Echocardiography is the method of choice for the visualization of the valve-attached vegetations, however the detection of endocarditis-associated abscesses by transthoracic approach is extremely difficult. Recently transesophageal echocardiography has been proved as an excellent tool to correctly detect these lesions. We report on two patients with endocarditis-associated abscesses in whom transesophageal echocardiography allowed us to diagnose paravalvular abscesses not recognized by transthoracic echocardiography; furthermore in the first patient, performing two successive transesophageal examinations before and after antibiotic therapy, we could follow the evaluation of aortic abscess which became a fistula draining into the left ventricular outflow tract. In conclusion these two cases suggest that transesophageal echocardiography should be always performed in patients suspected or known to have endocarditis and that a following examination is indicated to assess any evolving echocardiographic finding.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abscess / diagnostic imaging*
  • Abscess / drug therapy
  • Abscess / etiology
  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
  • Aortic Valve*
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal*
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / complications*
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / diagnostic imaging
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial / drug therapy
  • Evaluation Studies as Topic
  • Heart Valve Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Heart Valve Diseases / drug therapy
  • Heart Valve Diseases / etiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents