STAPHYLOCOCCUS-AUREUS BACTEREMIA AND A RI GHT ATRIAL MASS IN A PATIENT WITH A CENTRAL VENOUS LINE

A male heroin abuser was admitted because of Candida endophthalmitis. A permanent central venous line was inserted. Three months later, he h ad positive catheter and blood cultures with Staphylococcus aureus. Tr ansthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography and magnetic resonanc e revealed a right atrial mass. Treatment with antibiotics in addition to clinical and echocardiographic follow up was decided upon. Six wee ks later, a transesophageal echocardiography showed a decrease in righ t atrial mass size and the patient was discharged asymptomatic without treatment. Three months later, he was well. and a new transesophageal ecocardiography showed a further decrease in atrial mass size with si gns of fibrosis. This follow up supports the clinical suspicion of thr ombus in the right atrium attributable to a central venous line and St aphylococcus aureus bacteremia.