Thrombus or Vegetation: A Mystery Causing ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction with Infective Endocarditis of Mechanical Aortic Valve

Acute myocardial infarction (MI) in the setting of infective endocarditis (IE) of mechanical cardiac valve is a rare phenomenon. The most challenging aspect is the recognition between septic embolus versus thromboembolism from prosthesis in the setting of sub-therapeutic INR especially when the coronary vasculature is normal and etiology is not clear. We are presenting a case of 56years old patient who developed ST elevation MI during treatment of IE of mechanical aortic valve. Cardiac catheterization showed a very subtle blockade at most distal end of LAD therefore percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) could not be carried out.
Source: Cardiovascular Revascularization Medicine - Category: Cardiology Authors: Source Type: research