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Extracorporeal membrane oxygenator as a bridge to definitive treatment in patients with persistent infective endocarditis
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  • Soraya Fereydooni,
  • Kevin Hu,
  • Michal Shang,
  • Prashanth Vallabhajosyula
Soraya Fereydooni
Yale University School of Medicine Yale Center for Thoracic Aortic Disease

Corresponding Author:soraya.fereydooni@yale.edu

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Kevin Hu
Yale University School of Medicine Yale Center for Thoracic Aortic Disease
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Michal Shang
Yale University School of Medicine Yale Center for Thoracic Aortic Disease
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Prashanth Vallabhajosyula
Yale University School of Medicine Yale Center for Thoracic Aortic Disease
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Abstract

Considering the worsening opioid epidemic, complicated infective endocarditis (IE) secondary to intravenous drug use (IVDU) that fails medical management is increasingly common. We present a 31-year-old patient post tricuspid valve replacement who relapsed with recurrent IE and secondary complications of severe tricuspid stenosis and regurgitation, ventricular septal defect (VSD), pulmonary emboli, right-sided heart failure with severe hepatic congestion, and cardiogenic shock. Despite maximal medical management, the patient remained in septic and cardiogenic shock with a potential disposition to hospice care. Upon consulting cardiothoracic surgery, she underwent a first-stage valvectomy with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) as a bridge to definitive treatment. After clearance of infection, she underwent a second-stage valve replacement, VSD repair, and final ECMO decannulation. Our case alludes to ECMO as a potential bridge for patients with complicated infective endocarditis who fail medical management and are high-risk candidates for immediate definitive surgical management.