Abstract 13881: Utility of Cardiac CT for Evaluation of Infectious Endocarditis

Abstract

Background: Infectious endocarditis (IE) usually presents with variable imaging findings and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is the gold standard method for diagnosing IE. However, the presence of prosthetic or calcified valves poses a diagnostic challenge for detection of IE and associated structural abnormalities. In recent years, there is growing literature supporting cardiac CT scan as an adjunct to TEE in such cases. Studies have also shown that cardiac CT has significantly high sensitivity for detecting peri-annular complications. Case A 79 year old male who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for severe aortic stenosis one year ago presented with a one week history of worsening confusion and fatigue. His prior medical history includes non-ischemic cardiomyopathy with low ejection fraction (30-35%), deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Labs were notable for leucocytosis 27,300/uL and thrombocytopenia with platelet count 20,000/uL. Patient was bacteremic with blood cultures growing oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis. TEE revealed a small vegetation concerning for infection versus thrombus. A CT abdomen revealed a 3.8 cm splenic infarct. Tagged WBC scan was thereafter considered to help delineate, but came back negative. Decision Making In setting of thrombocytopenia, repeat TEE was deemed unsafe. Alternatively, the patient underwent cardiac CTA which revealed hypoattenuating leaflet thickening (HALT) involving >75% of aortic valve leaflets (Figure 1) with no perivalvular leak or abscess thereby confirming IE. Conclusion Cardiac CT offers distinct advantages and has emerged as a great adjunct to echocardiography for the workup of IE, especially in patients who have contraindications to TEE or with prosthetic valves where echocardiography is sub-optimal. The report further elucidates the role of cardiac CT as an imaging adjunct for IE.