Acute coronary syndrome complicating infective endocarditis: A case report with an etiological review

INTRODUCTION: Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is an uncommon complication associated with high mortality in patients with endocarditis. It requires prompt and appropriate management to cure the patient. CASES PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 52-year-old patient, initially admitted for an acute non-ST-segment elevation coronary syndrome at very high ischemic risk, in whom coronary exploration was negative, and whose echocardiography showed a mobile image on the aortic valve, suggesting infective endocarditis. The patient benefited from an aortic valve replacement because of the size and the embolic complications he presented, with a favorable evolution. DISCUSSION: Acute coronary syndrome during infective endocarditis is a rare complication with a high mortality rate. Several mechanisms are possible: the embolic mechanism, coronary extraluminal compression due to coronary mycotic aneurysm and obstruction of the coronary ostium by a large vegetation. The management remains multidisciplinary and personalized according to the phenotype of the patient, with the need to have the endocarditis team to be able to take the best therapeutic choice. CONCLUSION: Infective endocarditis must be evoked in any patient without usual cardiovascular risk factors who presents with an ACS that is accompanied by fever and elevated inflammatory markers, and a thorough clinical examination as well as the performance of additional tests.