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Absent pericardium: at risk for endocarditis?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 March 2006

Muthukumaran C. Sivaprakasam ,
Arul Narayanan  and
Joseph J. Vettukattil
Muthukumaran C. Sivaprakasam
Affiliation:
Wessex Cardiothoracic Centre, Southampton, United Kingdom
Arul Narayanan
Affiliation:
Wessex Cardiothoracic Centre, Southampton, United Kingdom
Joseph J. Vettukattil
Affiliation:
Wessex Cardiothoracic Centre, Southampton, United Kingdom
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Abstract

A 16-year-old girl with no previous cardiac problems presented to the casualty with septic shock. Investigations revealed endocarditis involving the mitral valve. At the time of surgery, she was noted to have a large left atrial appendage herniating into the left pleural cavity due to partial absence of the pericardium. Complete or partial absence of the pericardium is an uncommon congenital anomaly. Though various complications and presentations are reported, it has not been identified as a risk factor for endocarditis. We discuss the possible mechanism, and need for prophylaxis against endocarditis, in patients with absence of the pericardium.

Keywords

Left atrial appendageinfectionmitral valve
Type
Brief Report
Information
Cardiology in the Young , Volume 16 , Issue 2 , April 2006 , pp. 182 - 183
Copyright
© 2006 Cambridge University Press

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