Aortic Root Abscess Presenting as Pyrexia of Unknown Origin and the Importance of Echocardiography

Aortic root abscess in patients with aortic endocarditis is not uncommon. Aortic root abscess may cause persistent sepsis, worsening heart failure, conduction abnormalities, fistula formation, and an increased need for surgery. We present a young patient with aortic root abscess presenting as pyrexi...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Prashanth Panduranga
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2013-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Critical Care
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/636519
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Summary:Aortic root abscess in patients with aortic endocarditis is not uncommon. Aortic root abscess may cause persistent sepsis, worsening heart failure, conduction abnormalities, fistula formation, and an increased need for surgery. We present a young patient with aortic root abscess presenting as pyrexia of unknown origin. She had acute severe aortic and mitral regurgitation which produced very soft murmurs that were easily missed. This report reiterates that a high index of suspicion is needed in suspecting valvular endocarditis as well as a comprehensive transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiographic examination to diagnose complications like aortic root abscess.
ISSN:2090-6420
2090-6439