Marantic Valvular Vegetations

Abstract

Marantic valvular vegetations represent one form of vegetative nonbacterial endocarditis. While any of the cardiac valves may be involved, the mitral valve and/or aortic valve are the most common sites at which this process occurs. Underlying disease of a chronic nature is usually identifiable somewhere in the body, with malignant tumors collectively representing the most common underlying condition. Systemic arterial occlusion, usually multiple when present, may antedate the identification of an underlying malignant tumor. The gross nature of the vegetations requires histologic distinction from metastatic lesions of valves and from bacterial endocarditis. In some instances, the latter process may originate upon marantic vegetations.