Non-surgical extirpation of a non-infectious expanding tricuspid valve mass by percutaneous aspiration thrombectomy.

Marantic endocarditis refers to a noninfectious lesion, usually in the aortic and mitral valves, that is most commonly seen in advanced malignancy and systemic lupus erythematosus. Inflammatory conditions, including antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), are a rare etiology making up less than 20% of reported cases. The condition is thought to be due to a hypercoagulable state and found postmortem with rates in autopsy series ranging from 0.9% to 1.6%. In comparison to infective endocarditis, marantic endocarditis has a greater tendency for valve vegetations to embolize. Common treatment modalities include anticoagulation or valve replacement. Although percutaneous aspiration thrombectomy of right-sided heart chamber thrombi exists, there are limited reports demonstrating its use with regards to treatment of right-sided endocarditis. We present the case of an older male with a history of Factor V Leiden and APS who was admitted due to a rapidly expanding mass on the tricuspid valve (TV). Despite serial blood cultures being negative, the patient received adequate antibiotic therapy for more than 4 weeks. Transthoracic echocardiogram showed an enlarged TV vegetation with an increased diameter from 10 to 30 mm over 6 weeks. Due to the patient's high operative risk and concern for embolization complications, a multidisciplinary decision was made to perform percutaneous aspiration thrombectomy of the TV vegetation. Subsequent biopsy of the lesion confirmed it was noninfectious and nonmalignant. Thus, the patient was started on systemic anticoagulation for prevention of thromboembolic events.

Non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis in a patient with pancreatic carcinoma.

Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) is a rare condition that most often accompanies a malignant disease and involves a hypercoagulable state. We report the incidental finding of a rare case of an NBTE affecting the tricuspid valve in a patient with metastatic pancreatic carcinoma complicated by severe venous and arterial thromboembolisms.

Nonbacterial Thrombotic Endocarditis Associated with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia: An Autopsy Case Report.

Valve vegetation is one of the most fearful findings for physicians. The first diagnosis that comes to their mind is infective endocarditis (IE), but it can also be noninfective; nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE). NBTE can be even more challenging than IE for physicians because of the wide range of differential diagnoses such as malignancies, autoimmune disorders and human immunodeficiency virus. A 45-year-old woman presented at the emergency room with a sudden onset of dysarthria and right-sided hemiplegia. Laboratory data showed her blood counts and coagulation test were mostly normal and the magnetic resonance imaging detected a high-signal-intensity change in her left brain. An echocardiogram found a vegetation-like structure on her atrial valve. We highly suspected IE leading to cerebral embolism. The clot was successfully removed by our neurosurgeons and anticoagulation therapy was started concurrently. Her state of consciousness improved, but then she suffered a brain hemorrhage and died. The autopsy revealed that the cause of her vegetation was acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). Based on these findings, it is important to remember that APL can be the cause of NBTE even if the blood count and coagulation tests are almost normal.

A Tale of Two Valves: Bioprosthetic Aortic Valve Obstruction in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome.

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APLAS) are at risk for cardiac manifestations, specifically valvular heart disease requiring valve replacement. Bioprosthetic valve endocarditis is an important cause of valve failure, and it is important to keep a wide differential, especially in patients with preexisting SLE and APLAS. In this E-challenge, 2 cases of bioprosthetic aortic valve endocarditis are presented; 1 case describes infective bacterial endocarditis on an aortic prosthesis and the second describes a patient with SLE and APLAS who developed bioprosthetic valve obstruction secondary to vegetations, consistent with nonbacterial endocarditis and thrombus. Etiologies for bioprosthetic valve obstruction and evaluation by echocardiography are explored. The comparison between these 2 cases specifically highlights the importance of keeping a wide differential in endocarditis, prosthetic valve vegetations, and bioprosthetic valve obstruction.

Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis of a bioprosthetic valve: Questions to ponder before replacement of the valve.

Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) of bioprosthetic valves is extremely rare. We report a 67-year-old lady with early bioprosthetic "failure" that at reoperation was proven to be NBTE. The choice of a prosthesis in this condition may have implications for patients' late clinical course.

Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis as the initial presentation of prostate cancer- a case report.

Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) refers to noninfectious vegetations of the heart valves. It is commonly associated with malignancy and autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus, Rheumatoid arthritis. Herein, we present Non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis and Disseminated intravascular coagulation as the initial manifestations of prostate cancer. A 50-yearold gentleman, known case of hypertension and diabetes, presented with a history of recurrent ischaemic strokes, STEMI and a recent diagnosis of infective endocarditis. He had been taking antibiotics for the past 20 days without any improvement. Negative blood cultures in the presence of vegetations on repeat echocardiography led to a suspicion of NBTE. Laboratory investigations were suggestive of Disseminated intravascular coagulation. CT abdomen and pelvis demonstrated enlarged prostate with enlarged pelvic lymph nodes. Prostate specific antigen was raised at more than 100ng/ml. A bone scan showed extensive metastasis. The patient was started on GnRH analogue and bicalutamide. His Disseminated intravascular coagulation resolved and he was subsequently started on anticoagulants. The valvular lesions diminished without any residual dysfunction.

Nonbacterial Thrombotic Endocarditis Presenting with Leg Pain and a Left Atrial Mass Lesion.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a major cause of nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) associated with intracardiac sterile vegetations. It is rare for vegetations to present as an atrial tumor. This report describes a 48-year-old female with SLE and antiphospholipid syndrome complicated by recurrent thrombosis on anticoagulation. A large left atrial mass lesion was detected on echocardiography during a work-up for leg burning. Infective endocarditis could not be confirmed, and hence left atrial mass lesion was the most likely diagnosis. The patient was managed surgically and the pathology report revealed fibrin networks in a pattern similar to that of thrombosis, characteristic of NBTE.

Cerebral Infarcts by Nonbacterial Thrombotic Endocarditis Associated with Adenomyosis: A Case Report.

We report a case of multiple embolic cerebral infarcts associated with nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) in a patient with adenomyosis. The patient presented with dysarthria, left perioral sensory change, and left-hand weakness. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed multiple vascular territory infarctions involving the bilateral cerebellum and the right precentral gyrus. Magnetic resonance angiography was normal. d-Dimer, carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9, and CA125 levels were elevated. Abdominal and pelvic computed tomography with iodine contrast enhancement revealed a huge adenomyosis with left ovarian cyst. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) with agitated saline injection test demonstrated shaggy vegetation at the coapting edge of both mitral leaflets and mitral regurgitation. A diagnosis of NBTE was established and treatment with anticoagulation was initiated. Two weeks later, the thrombi reduced significantly on follow-up TEE and transthoracic echocardiography. The patient underwent an abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and pathological specimens confirmed adenomyosis. The possibility that adenomyosis can be associated with NBTE suggests one of the underlying thromboembolic mechanisms in adenomyosis. Clinicians should be aware of the potential thromboembolic risk of adenomyosis. Further reporting of similar cases is needed to confirm the thromboembolic mechanism.

Nonbacterial Thrombotic Endocarditis Complicated by Cerebral Infarction in a Patient with Adenomyosis with High Serum CA125 Level; A Case Report.

We report a case of a 48-year-old woman with multiple cerebral infarctions caused by nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) because of adenomyosis with high serum carbohydrate antigen (CA)125 level. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) showed a vegetation, 4 mm in diameter, adjacent to the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve on day 2. Soluble CA125 level was elevated to 901 U/mL. Intravenous infusion of unfractionated heparin sodium was started. On day 35, TEE revealed reduction of the vegetation in size, 2 mm in diameter. On day 38, she was transferred to the hospital for further rehabilitation. CA125 is a transmembrane mucin that contributes to the progression of epithelial ovarian cancer. It is important to keep in mind that adenomyosis with abnormally high serum CA125 level may be at high risk of NBTE.

Multiple Thrombi in the Heart in Trousseau Syndrome Caused by Pancreatic Carcinoma.

A 65-year-old woman presented to our emergency room because of sudden onset of right hemiparesis with severe fatigue. Neurological examination revealed right hemiparesis with right facial numbness and an extensor planter response on the right side.Magnetic resonance imaging with diffusion-weighted imaging revealed multiple highintensity areas in both cerebral hemispheres and the right cerebellum. A diagnosis of acute stage of multiple brain infarctions caused by emboli was made. An abdominal computed tomography showed a pancreatic tumor with multiple liver metastases. High D-dimer and serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 concentration strongly suggested Trousseau syndrome associated with pancreatic cancer. The patient had another large embolic stroke and died on day 47. Autopsy was performed. There were large thrombi in the left ventricular apex and in the left atrial appendage There was also a papillary-shaped vegetation on the aortic valve that consisted mainly of fibrin without any inflammatory cells or destruction of the valve, these findings being characteristic of NBTE. This case is remarkable in that the patient had 3 different types of cardiac thrombi in her heart associated with Trousseau syndrome.

Multiple Cerebral Infarctions in a Patient with Adenomyosis on Hormone Replacement Therapy: A Case Report.

A 59-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of repeated episodes of bilateral hand weakness. She had a 10-year history of combined estrogen-progestin therapy for menopausal symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging on admission showed multiple hyperintense lesions in bilateral cerebral and cerebellar cortices on diffusion-weighted imaging. Transesophageal echocardiography showed thrombus formation on the aortic valve and moderate aortic insufficiency. Laboratory test demonstrated elevated CA125 (334.8 U/mL) and D-dimer (7.0 µg/mL) levels. Trousseau's syndrome (cancer-related hypercoagulation) was considered, but various examinations showed only uterine adenomyosis and no evidence of cancer. Multiple cerebral infarctions were considered to be caused by Trousseau's syndrome-like condition associated with uterine adenomyosis. CA125 and coagulation markers should be measured in adenomyosis patients treated with hormone replacement therapy, because a mucinous tumor and coagulation markers may be good markers for the risk of thromboembolism in such patients.

Multiple ischemic strokes caused by nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis because of gallbladder cancer: a case report.

We report a case of a 62-year-old woman with multiple ischemic strokes caused by nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) because of gallbladder cancer. Transesophageal echocardiography showed NBTE on the mitral valve. The NBTE disappeared with anticoagulation treatment for 2 weeks. Abdominal computed tomography showed a gallbladder tumor that was surgically resected. Histopathologic studies showed poorly differentiated tumor cells and the production of mucin. Trousseau syndrome with gallbladder cancer is very rare. We suggest that the development of NBTE is related to the production of mucin.

Fatal intracranial hemorrhage after intravenous thrombolytic therapy for acute ischemic stroke associated with cancer-related nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis.

Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) is associated with hypercoagulability in patients with inflammatory states such as cancer and autoimmune diseases. Cardiac vegetations caused by NBTE often lead to life-threatening systemic thromboembolism that most frequently affects the brain, spleen, and kidneys. A 54-year-old woman diagnosed with ovarian cancer suddenly developed back pain and left hemiparesis. Although intravenous alteplase (rt-PA) therapy was administered to treat hyperacute ischemic infarction detected by magnetic resonance imaging, intracranial hemorrhage occurred in the left hemisphere several hours later as the patient started to lose consciousness. Transthoracic echocardiography then detected aseptic vegetations on the mitral and aortic valves, indicating NBTE associated with ovarian cancer. Because therapies for NBTE are limited to heparinization and control of underlying diseases, thrombolytic therapy for acute embolic stroke in NBTE has not yet been validated. We postulated that thrombolytic therapy for cancer-related NBTE might easily cause hemorrhagic complications because cancer-related NBTE is often similar to the state of disseminated intravascular coagulation.

A case of non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis on the aortic valve following coronary angiography.

Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) on the aortic valve involves fibrin and platelet aggregate formation, potentially leading to embolic events. We present a case of NBTE on the aortic valve following coronary angiography (CAG) in a 54-year-old man with multiple comorbidities. Surgical thrombectomy was performed owing to acute cerebral infarcts. This case highlights the significance of considering that mechanical trauma from catheterization during CAG can trigger thrombus formation.

Nonbacterial Thrombotic Endocarditis Caused by Early-stage Lung Cancer: An Autopsy Case Report.

Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) is a manifestation of prothrombotic status observed in patients with malignancy. Most cases are discovered only in the advanced stages. However, cancer in early stages may also induce NBTE development. We herein report an 87-year-old man with NBTE with multiple thromboembolization coexisting with lung cancer in early clinical stage. Autopsy findings revealed platelet- and fibrin-rich vegetations in both the tricuspid and mitral valves without evidence of bacterial infection. NBTE should be considered in cases with occult thromboembolization. Not only the presence of typical vegetation but irregular leaflet thickening should be monitored with careful echocardiographic examinations.

Systemic embolization due to non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis: An autopsy case report and mini review of the literature.

Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis is a rare, non-infectious complication associated with hypercoagulable states, such as malignancies and autoimmune diseases. Due to the difficulty distinguishing marantic endocarditis from infective endocarditis, the diagnosis is often delayed or even a postmortem finding. We present the case of a 70-year-old Caucasian female with marantic endocarditis secondary to metastatic duodenal adenocarcinoma. The patient presented with a short history of memory deficits, personality disturbances, and left homonymous hemianopia. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging showed multi-territorial bihemispheric cerebral infarctions. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed native mitral valve endocarditis, and serial blood cultures remained negative. Despite antibiotic therapy, the patient's condition continuously deteriorated, and she died within 3 weeks after her initial presentation. Postmortem examination showed a non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis. Early clinical suspicion and prompt diagnosis are of decisive importance for the survival of the patients.

Long­term control in a patient with lung adenocarcinoma, nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis and multiple systemic emboli: A case report.

Systemic emboli are not uncommon in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. The present study describes a rare case of long-term control in a patient with lung adenocarcinoma, nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis and multiple systemic emboli. Briefly, a 56-year-old man was diagnosed with metastatic lung adenocarcinoma and was treated with pembrolizumab, which was discontinued due to the appearance of a pulmonary immune-related adverse event. During the clinical course, the patient developed pseudo-progression of a brain tumor, repeated thromboembolism in multiple organs and a small vegetation attached to the aortic valve. These lesions were controlled with apixaban after heparin therapy for >3 years. Lung cancer was subsequently treated with pemetrexed and bevacizumab; however, this treatment was terminated due to a complete response and the patient's request to discontinue treatment. More than 3 years have passed since the diagnosis of lung adenocarcinoma, and the patient has been followed up at the hospital without signs of cancer recurrence. Although unusual, the patient's course may provide useful suggestions for the treatment of other patients with a similar evolution.

Postoperative anticoagulation management using subcutaneous unfractionated heparin for a patient with nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis: a case report.

Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) presents nonbacterial vegetation on cardiac valves. NBTE requires appropriate anticoagulant therapy to prevent recurrence after surgery. However, there has not yet been established evidence for anticoagulant therapy in NBTE, and low molecular weight heparin is not approved in Japan. We present a case of NBTE that was successfully managed with anticoagulant therapy using subcutaneous unfractionated heparin. A 59-year-old woman was diagnosed with NBTE on the mitral and tricuspid valve associated with breast cancer, underwent valve replacement. Warfarin and continuous intravenous unfractionated heparin were started. However, disseminated intravascular coagulation occurred after heparin was discontinued. Continuous intravenous unfractionated heparin injection was resumed immediately, and subcutaneous unfractionated heparin was administered before discharge. Postoperative echocardiography revealed no vegetation on the prosthetic valves thereafter. Subcutaneous unfractionated heparin therapy is useful to prevent the recurrence of NBTE as the anticoagulation in outpatients.

Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis demonstrated by repeat echocardiography.

We report a case of nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE) in a patient with bladder cancer presenting with multiple cerebral infarctions. Initial transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography did not show any abnormalities. However, repeat transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography demonstrated a vegetation on the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve with mild mitral regurgitation and no evidence of leaflet destruction. Persistent high-grade fevers and leukocytosis were observed. The patient was suspected to have infective endocarditis. However, abdominal ultrasound and computed tomography scan revealed multiple metastatic masses, and serial blood cultures were negative. The patient was ultimately diagnosed with NBTE associated with multiple metastases of bladder cancer. This case suggests that even if echocardiography does not initially demonstrate any abnormalities in patients with embolism, it must be repeated at the recurrence of embolism, and that even if clinical signs of infection are documented, NBTE should be suspected in any cancer patient with thromboembolic events.

Trivalvular nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis in a patient with colon adenocarcinoma: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis is a rare complication of prothrombotic states such as neoplasms that can cause valvular dysfunction and life-threatening complications. Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis usually affects the left-sided valves; however, only a minority of cases involving the tricuspid valve have been reported in medical literature. CASE PRESENTATION: The current report describes trivalvular involvement by nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis in a 54-year-old Azeri female patient with metastatic colorectal carcinoma. This case underlines the necessity of evaluating nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis as a possible consequence in cancer patients. When thromboembolic events are found in the presence of a hypercoagulable state (such as malignancy) and no growth on blood cultures, nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis could be suspected as the cause. CONCLUSION: It is critical to achieve early diagnosis in such a setting to initiate treatment plans and prevent further complications rapidly.