An atypical case of infective endocarditis initially diagnosed as myopericarditis

Bibliographic Details
Title: An atypical case of infective endocarditis initially diagnosed as myopericarditis
Authors: Negin Ceraolo, Rachel Dietz, Spencer Prete, Erin L Simon
Source: JEM Reports, Vol 4, Iss 1, Pp 100145- (2025)
Publisher Information: Elsevier, 2025.
Publication Year: 2025
Collection: LCC:Medical emergencies. Critical care. Intensive care. First aid
Subject Terms: Infective endocarditis, Myopericarditis, Chest pain, Mitral valve regurgitation, streptococcus anginosus, Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE), Medical emergencies. Critical care. Intensive care. First aid, RC86-88.9
More Details: Background: Acute myopericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium, or the membrane surrounding the heart, and the myocardium, or the muscular myocardial layer of the heart. Infective endocarditis is an infection of the cardiac endothelium. Diagnosis relies on clinical evaluation, blood cultures to identify the causative organism, and echocardiography to visualize vegetations on heart valves. In the emergency department (ED), distinguishing between myopericarditis and infective endocarditis is crucial to avoid misdiagnosis. Case report: We present the case of a 36-year-old male who was initially hospitalized for myocarditis and discharged on medications with cardiology follow-up planned. Twelve days later, the patient was readmitted with recurring chest pain. A bedside cardiac ultrasound showed mild mitral regurgitation. The patient was found to have bacteremia with Streptococcus anginosus which was concerning for endocarditis. The patient was transferred to a quaternary care hospital, where he underwent successful mitral valve repair. Why should an emergency physician be aware of this?: In the ED setting, it is crucial to broaden differential diagnoses. Myopericarditis can sometimes result from endocarditis, which can present in various ways. Therefore, endocarditis should be ruled out in acute presentations of chest pain. To avoid missing cases of endocarditis, obtaining blood cultures from patients with myopericarditis symptoms is essential. Additionally, expediting a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) can lead to a faster and more accurate diagnosis. Promptly conducting these tests can reduce the number of missed endocarditis cases and prevent patients from returning to the emergency department.
Document Type: article
File Description: electronic resource
Language: English
ISSN: 2773-2320
Relation: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773232025000094; https://doaj.org/toc/2773-2320
DOI: 10.1016/j.jemrpt.2025.100145
Access URL: https://doaj.org/article/bc89c34ef6544f26ae6a7a4b819ae241
Accession Number: edsdoj.bc89c34ef6544f26ae6a7a4b819ae241
Database: Directory of Open Access Journals
More Details
ISSN:27732320
DOI:10.1016/j.jemrpt.2025.100145
Published in:JEM Reports
Language:English