Vacuum-assisted thrombectomy of a right atrial vegetation in a patient with infective endocarditis

Abstract

Infective endocarditis has a high mortality rate despite appropriate medical therapy. In patients who are not surgical candidates, source control can be achieved with less invasive intervention. This case report describes a 47-year-old male with a complex medical history who presented in septic shock with recurrent bacteremia. Transesophageal echocardiogram showed the right atrial septal vegetation, but multiple medical comorbidities rendered the patient a poor surgical candidate. He underwent successful vacuum-assisted thrombectomy with the FlowTriever System™ (Inari Medical, Inc.) and was discharged home 6 days after the procedure. Intervention with this device can provide life-saving therapy in critically ill patients.