Abstract
BackgroundOnly 4.1% of tricuspid valve IE cases require surgical intervention. The complication after tricuspid valve IE with lung abscess and empyema is rare.Case presentationWe report the case of a 38-year-old male (an intravenous drug abuser) diagnosed with tricuspid valve IE who underwent tricuspid valve replacement. The case was complicated by multiple lung abscesses and thoracic empyema. The pathogens causing the lung abscesses and empyema were Acinetobacter baumannii complex and Candida albicans, which were different from those causing the endocarditis.After 4 weeks of antibiotic treatment, chest X-ray revealed bilateral clear lung markings with only mild blunting of the right costophrenic angle.ConclusionThe pathogen causing the lung abscess is not always compatible with that causing the endocarditis. Thoracoscopic incision of the abscess with 4 to 6 weeks of broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment is effective and safe.
Highlights
4.1% of tricuspid valve infective endocarditis (IE) cases require surgical intervention
Most tricuspid valve IE cases are strongly associated with intravenous drug abuse [3]
The case was complicated by multiple lung abscesses and thoracic empyema due to carbapenem-susceptible Acinetobacter baumannii complex and Candida albicans on postoperative day 14, requiring thoracoscopic decortication and incision of the lung abscess
Summary
The pathogen causing the lung abscess is not always compatible with that causing the endocarditis.
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