What is marantic endocarditis?

The term nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE), or marantic endocarditis, refers to a spectrum of lesions ranging from microscopic aggregates of platelets to large vegetations on previously undamaged heart valves (most often aortic and mitral) in the absence of a bloodstream bacterial infection.

What causes marantic endocarditis?

Marantic endocarditis (a.k.a. non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis or NBTE) occurs from deposition of thrombus and fibrinous material on the heart valves, most commonly the mitral valve. This is frequently associated with hypercoagulable states, adenocarcinomas and systemic lupus erythematosus.

How do you treat Libman-Sacks endocarditis?

No specific therapy is indicated for Libman-Sacks endocarditis. Manage heart failure due to valvular dysfunction according to usual guidelines. Medications may include vasodilators, beta blockers, diuretics, and digoxin.

What is the most common area affected by Libman-Sacks endocarditis?

The mitral valve is typically affected, and the vegetations occur on the ventricular and atrial surface of the valve. Though the left-sided heart valves (mitral and aortic) are most commonly affected, any of the heart valves as well as adjoining structures may become involved.

What is acute Serositis?

Serositis. Specialty. Rheumatology. Serositis refers to inflammation of the serous tissues of the body, the tissues lining the lungs (pleura), heart (pericardium), and the inner lining of the abdomen (peritoneum) and organs within. It is commonly found with fat wrapping or creeping fat.

How fast does endocarditis develop?

There are two forms of infective endocarditis, also known as IE: Acute IE — develops suddenly and may become life threatening within days. Subacute or chronic IE (or subacute bacterial endocarditis) — develops slowly over a period of weeks to several months.

How is Serositis diagnosed?

Your doctor may perform a physical exam and order blood tests and/or scans to help with a diagnosis. Blood tests help to look for signs of infection or markers of immune diseases. Scans such as a chest X-ray, CT scan, ultrasound, or electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) may help to identify the source of the symptoms.

What autoimmune disease causes chest pain?

Lupus can cause inflammation in the heart, increasing the risk of heart disease and heart attack. Symptoms include chest pain and heart murmurs. Inflammation in the lungs and chest cavity can make it painful to take a deep breath. Inflammation in the chest cavity lining is known as pleuritis.

What kind of disease is marantic endocarditis?

Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE), also known as marantic endocarditis, is a rare disease characterised by the presence of sterile growths and fibrin deposits on predominantly left heart valves. It is associated with a hypercoagulable state secondary to systemic diseases such as cancer, autoimmune diseases and HIV.

How is marantic endocarditis treated in palliative care?

Discharged home and subsequently started treatment with carboplatin etoposide. Palliative care input. It is often very difficult to distinguish marantic endocarditis from infective endocarditis, primarily due to lack of specific laboratory tests for marantic endocarditis.

When does embolisation occur in marantic endocarditis?

Typically, patients with marantic endocarditis are asymptomatic until embolisation (cerebrovascular or systemic) occurs.

What causes pansystolic murmur in marantic endocarditis?

This is of particular importance as cardiac murmurs are infrequently noted in marantic endocarditis and occur in <50% of the cases. 1 It is plausible that the pansystolic murmur heard from heart auscultation is due to mitral regurgitation as shown by the echocardiogram ( figure 5 ).