Mitral Valve Replacement Under Venoarterial Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support for Severe Streptococcus Mitis Endocarditis

Abstract

Streptococcus mitis is an alpha-hemolytic species of Streptococcus and is the most prevalent organism of the oral flora. In patients with dental procedures or trauma and underlying damaged heart valves, it can cause infection of the valves (endocarditis). It has a propensity to affect the left-sided heart valves (mitral and aortic valves) in non-intravenous drug users (IVDU), whereas right-sided heart valves (tricuspid and pulmonic valves) in IVDU. We describe a case of a patient who presented with mitral valve endocarditis that was treated with antibiotics. He was lost to follow-up and then presented four years after his index presentation in cardiogenic shock from severe streptococcal mitis endocarditis causing severe mitral regurgitation. His course deteriorated to the point where the patient required a valve replacement surgery under hemodynamic support.