Nonbacterial Thrombotic Endocarditis in Pancreatic Cancer

Abstract

Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE), known as marantic endocarditis, is a phenomenon due to hypercoagulability with a complex pathogenesis. Originally described by Ziegler, the lesions of NBTE were considered to be fibrin thrombi deposited on normal or superficially degenerated cardiac valves [1]. Numerous reports have identified the relationship between NBTE and a variety of different inflammatory states, including chronic diseases like malignancy and autoimmune disease [2, 3]. NBTE is a serious manifestation of prothtombotic state that is characterized by the deposition of thrombi on previously undamaged heart valves in the absence of a bloodstream bacterial infection and by the increased frequency of arterial embolic events in patients with chronic debilitating diseases. Although hypercoagulability is often seen in patients with pancreatic cancer, NBTE has rarely been reported antemortem. We report a case of marantic endocarditis in patient with pancreatic cancer, in which neurological symptoms preceded the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.