RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 The diagnostic challenge of infective endocarditis: cutaneous vasculitis leading to the diagnosis of infective endocarditis.
JF The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice
JO J Am Board Fam Med
FD American Board of Family Medicine
SP 451
OP 456
VO 14
IS 6
A1 T Conti
A1 B Barnet
YR 2001
UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/14/6/451.abstract
AB BACKGROUND Signs and symptoms of infectious endocarditis are protean. They result from destruction of cardiac endothelium, metastatic embolization, hematogenous seeding, and immune complex deposition. Embolic manifestations of infectious endocarditis can mimic several other pathologic conditions and make the diagnosis of infectious endocarditis difficult.METHODS We describe a case of cutaneous vasculitis leading to the diagnosis of infectious endocarditis. A review of the literature highlights the variable clinical presentations and key diagnostic strategies in the evaluation of infectious endocarditis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION Infective endocarditis has protean clinical symptoms and signs and can be a challenging diagnosis. Being alert to the condition is crucial, and where a high clinical probability exists despite a negative transthoracic echocardiogram, diagnostic evaluation with transesophageal echocardiograph is required.