Cardiac rupture caused by Staphylococcus aureus septicaemia and pericarditis: an incidental finding. Issue 3 (1st March 2001)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Osula, S; Lowe, R; Perry, R A
• Is Part Of: Heart. Volume 85:Issue 3(2001)
• Page Start: e4
• Page End: e4
• Publication Date: 2001-03-01
• Subjects: ventricular rupture -- pseudoaneurysm -- staphylococcal septicaemia; Heart -- Diseases -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Cardiology -- Periodicals; 616.12
• DOI: 10.1136/heart.85.3.e4
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1355-6037

Abstract

Abstract : A 35 year old woman with a long history of intravenous drug abuse presented to a local hospital with severe anaemia, fever, raised markers of inflammation, and positive blood cultures for Staphylococcus aureus . She responded to treatment with antibiotics with improvement in her symptoms and markers of inflammation. Four weeks later a "routine" echocardiogram showed a rupture of her left ventricular apex and a large pseudoaneurysm. There had been no deterioration in her symptoms or haemodynamic status to herald this new development. It was successfully repaired surgically and the patient made a good recovery.