AN UNUSUAL CASE OF STAPHYLOCOCCUS-AUREUS ENDOCARDITIS

Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis involving the left side of the hear t is associated with a high mortality and an increased complication ra te. Despite antibiotic therapy, the size of vegetations often remains stable or increases in this disorder. Echocardiographic follow-up rare ly shows complete disappearance of the vegetation with recovery of nor mal valve structure. In the following the uncommon case of a staphyloc occus aureus endocarditis with a very large vegetation of the mitral v alve (3.4 x 1.9 cm) is described. Repeated transesophageal echocardiog raphy showed complete disappearance of structural endocarditis residue of the involved valve without relevant mitral regurgitation after emb olism in three peripheral arteries.