Extraction of Right-Sided Vegetation with Use of an Aspiration Catheter System

Abstract

Indications for surgical management of active right-sided endocarditis are under debate. In the presence of vegetation without valvular or surrounding tissue involvement, the mass may be removed with a suction device introduced via a transcatheter path. Herein, we report the successful removal of right-sided vegetation using the AngioVac Cannula, a percutaneous mechanical suction device, in three patients who presented with active endocarditis. The excellent midterm follow-up results highlight the effectiveness of such aspiration catheter systems.