Cor Vasa 2023, 65(3):545-549 | DOI: 10.33678/cor.2022.129

Infective endocarditis complicated by brain embolism: a case report

Peter Snopek^{a, b}, Jozef Hasilla^{a, c}, Lukáš Patrovič^d, Dominik Juskanič^d, Jakub Benko^a, Matej Samoš^e

^a Cardiology Clinic, Faculty Hospital Nitra, Nitra, Slovakia

^b University of Health and Social Work of Saint Elisabeth, Bratislava, Slovakia

^c Faculty of Social Sciences and Health Care, University of Konštatin Filosof, Nitra, Slovakia

^d Jessenius Diagnostic Center, Nitra, Slovakia

^e Internal Clinic, University Hospital Martin, Martin, Slovakia

Symptomatic neurological complications occur in 15-30% of patients with infective endocarditis. At the same time, other clinically silent cerebral embolisms occur in 35-60% of patients. Staphylococcus aureus is the pathogen that causes nervous system involvement most frequently. We report a case of a 67-year-old man with infective endocarditis following a dental procedure that manifested as spondylodiscitis and multiple brain embolization, including a brain abscess that required drainage. After six weeks of treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics and complex supportive therapy, we discharged the patient in a satisfactory mental and somatic condition. The preparation of the patient for cardiac surgery is ongoing.

Keywords: Cerebral abscess, Embolization, Infective endocarditis, Neurosurgical drainage, Spondylodiscitis

Received: October 31, 2022; Revised: November 12, 2022; Accepted: December 10, 2022; Published: June 20, 2023  Show citation