Progressive Dyspnea in a Man With Recently Treated Presumed Endocarditis: The Usual Onset of Valvular Incompetence or More Complex Pathology?

A 51-year-old, 85-kg, 170-cm man with coronary artery disease, essential hypertension, hyperlipidemia, tobacco abuse, and obstructive sleep apnea was transferred to the authors ’ institution for evaluation of a 2-month history of recurrent fevers, chills, malaise, weakness, myalgia, and generalized arthralgias. The patient denied chest pain, dyspnea at rest or during exercise, palpitations, nausea, vomiting, and urinary symptoms. Two sets of blood cultures were positive for Streptococcus anginosus, but transthoracic echocardiography did not show vegetations.
Source: Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia - Category: Anesthesiology Authors: Tags: Diagnostic Dilemma Source Type: research