Ischemic Stroke Revealing Infective Endocarditis in a Young Subject: About a Clinical Case

Abstract

Introduction: Neurological complications are possible during infective endocarditis. They are often life-threatening and can be a source of sequelae. Case Presentation: We report the case of an 11-year-old patient admitted to the cardiology department of the CHU-ME “LUXEMBOURG” in Bamako for functional impotence of the left hemibody, accompanied by fever and NYHA stage II dyspnea. The clinical examination on admission shows the poor general condition, normal consciousness, and sensory-motor deficit of the pyramidal type of the left hemibody. The cardiovascular examination notes a systolic murmur at the mitral focus, hepato-jugular reflux, hepatomegaly, and slight edema in the lower limbs. Brain CT showed localized hypodensity in favor of an ischemic stroke. The electrocardiogram shows a sinus rhythm. Transthoracic Doppler echocardiography revealed mitral insufficiency with vegetation of 17 × 14 mm on the anterior mitral valve, with left ventricular ejection fraction estimated at 75%. Dual antibiotic therapy associated with conventional treatment for heart failure was initiated. The clinical evolution was marked by the persistence of the deficit of the left upper limb, the cardiac Doppler echography of control after 6 weeks of treatment found the same vegetation. A discussion with the heart team with a view to a surgical cure has been initiated for the rest of the treatment. Conclusion: A motor deficit associated with fever related to an ischemic vascular accident should lead to a search for infective endocarditis on cardiac Doppler ultrasound.