Medical Oddities: The ghost that haunted a heart - Summary - MDSpire
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Medical Oddities: The ghost that haunted a heart

From haunted hearts to toxic treats, medicine has a few Halloween tricks up its sleeve.

  • By

  • Teraya Smith

  • October 29, 2026

  • 6 min

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Objective:

To describe a case of extensive bilateral infective endocarditis in a 51-year-old man with a history of intravenous drug use and schizoaffective disorder.

Approach:
  • : A case report described the patient’s presentation, diagnostic findings, emergency valve surgery, and hospital course.
Key Findings:
  • The patient presented with worsening dyspnea, fever, and anorexia and developed septic shock and multiorgan dysfunction. Blood cultures grew methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. Echocardiography showed a mobile mitral valve vegetation measuring up to 20 mm, mitral leaflet perforation, severe mitral regurgitation, and moderate tricuspid regurgitation. Imaging also showed multiple pulmonary and splenic infarctions. He underwent mitral valve reconstruction and tricuspid valve repair. After postoperative complications including mediastinitis and nosocomial pneumonia, he was discharged after 44 days following targeted antibiotic therapy and multidisciplinary care.
Interpretation:

The case illustrates extensive bilateral infective endocarditis with severe damage to both the mitral and tricuspid valves in a patient with a history of intravenous drug use.

Conclusion:

The patient was discharged after emergency valve surgery, targeted antibiotic therapy, and a 44-day hospital stay.

Sources:

Original Source(s)

Medical Oddities: The ghost that haunted a heart

  • by Teraya Smith

  • October 29, 2026

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