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Infective Endocarditis as a Complication of a Ventriculoatrial Shunt

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: A 31-year-old man with a medical history of congenital hydrocephalus with a ventriculoatrial shunt presented with sepsis despite being treated with oxacillin for a recent bacteremia. His blood cultures grew methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, and a transesophageal echocardiogram revealed small vegetations on the tricuspid valve and at the tip of the ventriculoatrial shunt. He underwent removal of the shunt and was treated with a 6-week course of oxacillin and rifampin for endocarditis. Our case highlights the importance of having a high index of suspicion for endocarditis in patients with a ventriculoatrial shunt. Similar to the management of other cardiac device–related infective endocarditis, removal of the shunt is required in addition to antibiotic therapy.

Source: JACC Case Reports

DOI: 10.1016/j.jaccas.2024.103097

Authors: Siddhant Passey, Jasmine Tidwell, Lara Melo Soares Pinho De Carvalho, Jan Zeman, Agnes S. Kim

Institutions: University of Connecticut, UConn Health

Language: English

Topic: Infective Endocarditis Diagnosis and Management

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $850