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Non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis with atypical presentation as overt congestive heart failure
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  • Giuseppe Andò,
  • Davide Restelli,
  • Olimpia Trio,
  • Cristina Poleggi,
  • Maurizio Cusmà Piccione,
  • Roberta Manganaro,
  • Giuseppe Certo,
  • Concetta Zito
Giuseppe Andò
Universita degli Studi di Messina Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Davide Restelli
Universita degli Studi di Messina Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale
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Olimpia Trio
Universita degli Studi di Messina Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale
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Cristina Poleggi
Universita degli Studi di Messina Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale
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Maurizio Cusmà Piccione
Universita degli Studi di Messina Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale
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Roberta Manganaro
Universita degli Studi di Messina Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale
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Giuseppe Certo
Universita degli Studi di Messina Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale
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Concetta Zito
Universita degli Studi di Messina Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Sperimentale
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Abstract

Introduction. Non-Bacterial Thrombotic Endocarditis (NBTE) is a form of endocarditis associated with malignancy or autoimmune disorders. Diagnosis remains a challenge as patients are often asymptomatic up to embolic events or, rarely, valve dysfunction. We report a case of NBTE with uncommon clinical presentation and identified with multimodal echocardiography. Case presentation. An 82-year-old man presented to our outpatient clinic reporting dyspnea. Past medical history included hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, and unprovoked deep vein thrombosis. On physical examination, he was apyretic, mildly hypotensive and hypoxemic, had a systolic murmur and lower limbs edema. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed severe mitral regurgitation due to verrucous thickening of the free margin of both leaflets, increased pulmonary pressure, and dilated inferior vena cava. Multiple blood cultures were negative. Transesophageal echocardiography confirmed “thrombotic” thickening of mitral leaflets. Nuclear investigations were highly suggestive of multi-metastatic pulmonary cancer. We did not further proceed in the diagnostic workup and prescribed palliative care. Discussion. Lesions seen on echocardiography were suggestive of NBTE: they involved both sides of mitral leaflets, close to the edges, had irregular shape and echo-density, a broad base, and no independent motion. Criteria for infective endocarditis were not met and the final diagnosis was paraneoplastic NBTE due to underlying lung cancer. We remark the lack of definitive recommendations about treatment of NBTE and the only role of anticoagulation to prevent systemic embolism. Conclusions. We report a case of NBTE presenting with atypical symptoms and likely related to the prothrombotic state induced by underlying lung cancer. Provided the unconclusive microbiological tests, multimodal imaging played a crucial role for the final diagnosis.