Infective Endocarditis Complicated by Ventricular Septal Defect and Coarctation of the Aorta, Suspected on Auscultation and Phonocardiography.

Journal: Internal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan)
Published:
Abstract

Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is associated with other congenital cardiovascular anomalies, including ventricular septal defects (VSDs). These anomalies can cause a systolic murmur; however, CoA sometimes remains undiagnosed, even when a VSD is detected in newborns. The coexistence of CoA and VSD poses a high risk of infective endocarditis (IE), making an early diagnosis and treatment crucial. We herein report a case of IE complicated by CoA and VSD that was suspected based on auscultation and phonocardiographic findings. When a precordial systolic murmur is heard, auscultation of the patient's back is essential for CoA detection. In addition, phonocardiography is helpful for visually identifying coexisting cardiovascular diseases.