A 45 years old gentleman with good past health developed on-and-off fever, malaise, bilateral lower limb rash, shortness of breath and palpitation for two weeks. Physical examination showed purpuric skin rash over both lower limbs. The cardiovascular examination showed a pansystolic murmur, best heard at the apex. Bedside echocardiography was performed in the emergency department and revealed vegetation over the mitral valve leaflet with severe mitral regurgitation. He was admitted to the medical ward with a provisional diagnosis of infective endocarditis and subsequently received a mitral valve replacement.
DurackD.T., LukesA.S., BrightD.K.New criteria for diagnosis of infective endocarditis: utilization of specific echocardiographic findings. Duke Endocarditis Service. Am J Med1994; 96(3): 200–9.
2.
MylonakisE., CalderwoodS.B.Infective endocarditis in adults. N Eng J Med2001; 345(18): 1318–30.
3.
BayerA.S., BolgerA.F., TaubertK.A., WilsonW., SteckelbergJ., KarchmerA.W.Diagnosis and management of infective endocarditis and its complications. [Review] Circulation1998; 98(25): 2936–48.
4.
RoblesP.Judicious use of transthoracic echocardiography in the diagnosis of infective endocarditis. Heart2003; 89(11): 1283–4.
5.
GreavesK., MouD., PatelA., CelermajerD.S.Clinical criteria and the appropriate use of transthoracic echocardiography for the exclusion of infective endocarditis. Heart2003; 89(3): 273–5.
6.
BlancoR., Martinez-TaboadaV.M., Rodriquez-ValverdeV., Garcia-FuentesM.Cutaneous vasculitis in children and adults. Associated disease and etiologic factors in 303 patients [Review]. Medicine (Baltimore)1998; 77(6): 403–18.