A Case of Infective Endocarditis in a Middle-Aged Patient With Trisomy 21 and an Incidentally Discovered Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO)

Cureus. 2024 May 26;16(5):e61106. doi: 10.7759/cureus.61106. eCollection 2024 May.

Abstract

Trisomy 21 often leads to cardiac complications, usually associated with congenital heart disease, such as atrial septal defects, ventricular septal defects, and patent ductus arteriosus. This case describes an unexpected instance of infective endocarditis (IE) in a middle-aged patient with an incidentally discovered patent foramen ovale (PFO). The common risk factors for IE include previous valve surgery, artificial heart valves, pacemakers, prior IE, congenital defects like bicuspid aortic valve, IV drug use, and the congenital defects mentioned earlier.

Keywords: congenital heart disease; down's syndrome; infective endocarditis; patent foramen ovale; trisomy 21.

Publication types

  • Case Reports