Three-dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiographic Diagnosis of Catheter Endocarditis Hidden in Intracaval Stent.

ABSTRACT

In recent years, with an increasing number of central venous access procedures and cardiac implantable electronic device implantation, the incidence of infective endocarditis (IE) has become more prevalent. Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2D-TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) are a key part of the evaluation of IE, but advances in three-dimensional echocardiography have enabled a better spatial resolution and visualization of cardiac structures, allowing the identification of any valvular vegetations, abscesses, or nodules. Herein, we report the usefulness of 3D-TEE in a difficult diagnosis of hemodialysis catheter endocarditis hidden in intracaval stent.