Case report: New is not always better: treatment of non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis

Abstract

An elderly female with metastatic adenocarcinoma of the lung and atrial fibrillation presented with multiple embolic strokes while on anticoagulation with Apixaban. After further investigation, a TEE showed lesions of non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis on the mitral valve. A decision to switch the patient to LMWH for anticoagulation was then made and a follow-up TEE showed resolution of the NBTE. In this abstract, we show that heparin should remain as the anticoagulation agent of choice in the setting of NBTE associated with malignancy.