A narrative review of echocardiography in infective endocarditis of the right heart

Introduction

Infective endocarditis (IE) is characterized by the formation of bacterial or fungal masses within the cardiac chambers, the semilunar or atrioventricular valves, and in severe cases the mural endocardium or intra-cardiac vessels. Acute bacterial IE is most often caused by staphylococcus aureus infection and progresses rapidly to a systemic immune response syndrome and sepsis (1). Subacute IE tends to be a more insidious disease process resulting from infection by streptococcal, enterococcal, or gram-negative coccobacilli species. Native valve right-sided IE accounts for 5% to 10% of documented cases with a low mortality cited at 6% (2,3). However, up to 50% of patients will require surgical intervention which confers a significant morbidity and risk for readmission and heart failure (4,5).

Echocardiography is the gold standard for the diagnosis of IE, with a sensitivity of 80% for the transthoracic modality and 95% for transesophageal studies (6,7). Detailed echocardiographic examinations provide important clinical information regarding the extent of infection, intra-cardiac structures involved, and secondary complications. This includes cardioembolic events, which occur most commonly to the pulmonary circulation in right-sided IE, and can lead to devastating sequela. A high index of suspicion, prompt clinical and imaging evaluation, and early recognition are standard of care. Herein we provide a review of IE of the right heart, with a focus on pathophysiology and its echocardiographic presentation and characteristics. We present the article in accordance with the Narrative Review reporting checklist (available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/atm-20-5198).

Methods

A literature review was performed using PubMed, EMBASE, Ovid, and the Cochrane Library, of all scientific articles published through May 2020. The Boolean search terms used included: ‘echocardiography’, ‘characteristics’, ‘infective endocarditis’, ‘bacterial endocarditis’, ‘right heart’, ‘right ventricle’, ‘right atrium’, ‘tricuspid valve’, ‘pulmonic valve’, ‘IVDU’, ‘intravenous drug abuse’, ‘prosthetic valve’, and ‘pacemaker’. A focus was placed on descriptive studies and reports correlating echocardiographic findings with pathologic diagnosis. Additionally, the echocardiography laboratory imaging archives at Columbia University Division of Cardiology, Mount Sinai Heart Institute (Miami Beach, FL, USA) were referenced.

Epidemiology and etiologic pathogens

Data from epidemiologic studies in the United States and Europe have shown a stable overall incidence of IE over the past three decades, which has been cited as 2.6 to 7.0 cases per 100,000 patient years (8,9). The major risk factors for the development of left or right-sided IE include rheumatic and congenital heart disease, intra-cardiac devices, exposure to healthcare-associated infections, and end-stage renal disease (10). Additionally, varying degrees of pre-existing valvular dysfunction or degenerative disease is present in the majority of cases. The median age of IE patients is 58 years, with a two-fold increased risk amongst males (10).

When carefully analyzing the epidemiology of right-sided IE, there are unique characteristics which emerge. More specifically, a history of intravenous drug abuse (IVDU) is elicited from 90% of patients with isolated right-sided IE, with valves and intra-cardiac structures being normal prior to infection in approximately 80% (11,12). This is reflected in the doubling of right-sided IE hospitalizations in the United States over the past decade mirroring the similar rise in opioid and heroin abuse, and a shift towards younger patients with more co-morbidities (13,14). Co-infection with human immunodeficiency virus is common, with CD4 counts inversely proportional to clinical outcomes and morbidity; however, this appears to be related to shared risk factors as opposed to causality (15).

Pathogenesis

Nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE)

In both left and right-sided IE, the inciting factor is the development of NBTE. The nidus occurs with deposition of platelet and fibrin aggregates on the atrial surface of the mitral and tricuspid valves (TVs), most often in the setting of valvular insufficiency or endothelial damage at the coaptation point; less common is seeding on the atrial or ventricular walls, or subvalvular apparatus (16,17). It is important to restate that in the majority of patients, the valvular endothelium and function is normal prior to IE, and there is a greater impact from specific bacterial surface molecules and the host’s serum bactericidal activity on the natural course of IE. Indeed, interaction between a tricuspid regurgitant jet flowing between the higher-pressure right ventricle and the low-pressure right atrium (RA) provides impetus for secondary infection of the platelet-fibrin aggregate by circulating systemic bacteria, triggering the transition of NBTE to TV IE (18).

Transition from nonbacterial thrombotic to bacterial IE

Although incompletely understood, it has been generally agreed upon that the intrinsic virility of the infecting organism and upregulation of the coagulation and inflammatory cascades are pivotal in the transition from NBTE to bacterial IE (8,19,20). Bacterial adhesins, which are surface molecules integral to the cellular interaction between host and pathogen, vary in their importance between organisms. These include fibronectin, fibrinogen-binding surface protein, and tissue thromboplastin in staphylococcus; polysaccharide and dextran matrix molecules in streptococci; and, collagen adhesins and associated biofilm infiltration in enterococci (21).

Once established the vegetation grows into a variable-sized mass of platelet, fibrin, white and red blood cells, phagocytes, and dense clumps of bacteria (21,22). The extent and aggressiveness of bacterial-platelet-neutrophil interactions are important mediators of vegetation size and morphology, which often contain a core of very high bacterial concentration and are essentially avascular (21,23).Neovascularization and fibroblast-mediated connective tissue formation occurs as IE is treated and the endothelium begins to heal (8). Phagocytosis and clearance of infected tissue materials progresses over months, regardless of the treatment approach.

Echocardiographic features of right-sided IE

As previously discussed, while transthoracic echocardiography is the initial diagnostic imaging test of choice in the workup of bacteremia or suspected IE, the gold standard is two- and three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography given their superior resolution and sensitivity. The hallmark of the disease is the development and echocardiographic identification of valvular or endocardial vegetations, which care characteristically similar in both left and right-sided IE. However, the increased morbidity and mortality of the disease is driven by progressive infection that results in extensive destruction of intra-cardiac structures, and the ensuing clinical and hemodynamic sequelae.

Native valvular and endocardial vegetations

In general, infective vegetations are amorphous, mobile, and may be of variable size—from a few millimeters to centimeters large (24-26). In the acute phase they typically appear soft and friable on echocardiographic examination, while in subacute or chronic stages the vegetations can become partially or entirely calcified (‘healed’) and fixated to the underlying structure. In right-sided IE, infective vegetations of the TV may be present on the leaflet tips, atrial or ventricular portions of the leaflet body, or the valve annulus (27) (Figure 1). In early disease the primary findings may only be increasing thickness and an irregular leaflet contour, as the biofilm seeds infection. Aggressive infection can spread to the subvalvular apparatus and result in destruction of the supporting structures and chordae tendinae, resulting in leaflet flail (Figure 2). In these instances, signs of right ventricular (RV) volume overload, with paradoxical interventricular septal motion and flattening, may be appreciated. Native pulmonic valve (PV) IE is most often associated with underlying congenital heart disease or IVDU, with the latter presentation being far less common than tricuspid infection (Figure 3). Vegetation characteristics and the causative microorganisms are also similar.

Figure 1 IE of the TV. Mid transesophageal echocardiography RV-focused view at 0 degrees. Multiple amorphous vegetations (arrows) are attached to the atrial and ventricular sides of the TV (left panel). Three-dimensional reconstruction of the right heart is seen in the larger right panel. IE, infective endocarditis; TV, tricuspid valve; RV, right ventricular.

Figure 2 TV IE with valvular destruction. Transthoracic echocardiography apical RV-focused view. In the left panel there is diffuse echogenic thickening of the TV, with ‘shaggy’ vegetations noted on the anterior and septal leaflets. Infection and rupture of chordae tendinae has resulted in a flail anterior TV leaflet (arrow) and severe medially-directed tricuspid regurgitation (right panel). TV, tricuspid valve; IE, infective endocarditis; RV, right ventricular; RA, right atrium.

Figure 3 IE of the PV. Transthoracic echocardiography parasternal short-axis view with a focus on the PV. There is severe congenital pulmonic stenosis, with heavy degenerative thickening and calcification of the PV leaflets. There is extensive superimposed infective vegetations on the ventricular side of valve (triangle). IE, infective endocarditis; PV, pulmonic valve; PA, pulmonary artery.

Healed valvular endocarditis

Improved imaging techniques and the use of harmonic ultrasound has improved the ability of echocardiography to qualitatively differentiate active IE from old or ‘healed’ vegetations. This is based on the observation that in the chronic stages of IE the infective vegetations decrease in size, calcify, and become more echogenic, which is the result of collagen deposition and extensive fibrocalcific inflammation (28,29). It is prudent to compare serial echocardiograms to assess for the natural disease progression, and to remain vigilant for re-infection which is a substantial risk in this population.

Prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE)

PVE is a more challenging disease in regards to imaging diagnosis as a result of prosthesis-related artifacts and shadowing, and a generally sicker population with more cardiovascular pathology. The echocardiographic characteristics of PVE vegetations are similar to what is observed with native valve disease (30). Transesophageal echocardiography is often necessary for definitive diagnosis, particularly with involvement of the prosthetic sewing ring or in the setting of underlying calcification or pannus overgrowth; in severe cases vegetative material may not be reliably differentiated from pannus or superimposed thrombus. When infection involves more than a third of the annular circumference with extension into the fibrous skeleton and sutures, the prosthesis may become dehisced with visible ‘rocking’ on echocardiography (31).

Aortic root abscess with right heart involvement

Abscess formation is defined as a purulent infective and necrotic collection of fluid, which at the aortic root occurs between layers of the aortic wall, and most commonly in the acute setting of staphylococcal or enterococcal IE. On echocardiography the infected aortic root appears thickened and echogenic, and may be subtle in the early stages to centimeters thick in aggressive infection (Figure 4) (32). The abscess is highly echolucent, reflecting the ultrasound properties of fluid; if a communication with the system aortic lumen is present, a systolic bulging motion from capsular flow can be appreciated, and the condition is termed a mycotic aneurysm. Invasion of the abscess into nearby vascular structures, such as the main pulmonary artery (PA), can occur (Figure 5).

Figure 4 Bioprosthetic AV IE and aortic root abscess. Transthoracic echocardiography parasternal short-axis view at the level of the AV. A bioprosthetic AV is present with circumferential aortic root thickening and abscess formation (arrows). The echolucent space located anterior is a pocket of fluid within the abscess (triangle), which increases the risk of fistula formation or rupture into other cardiac chambers, and is adjacent to the RVOT. AV, aortic valve; IE, infective endocarditis; RVOT, right ventricular outflow tract.

Figure 5 AV, aortic root, and PA IE. Transthoracic echocardiography parasternal short-axis view at the level of the PV and PA. In the left panel there is diffuse echogenic thickening of the AV and thickening of the aortic root consistent with AV endocarditis and aortic root abscess. Tissue destruction has resulted in an aorta-to-PA fistula (curved arrow), with flow visualized by color Doppler interrogation (right panel). AV, aortic valve; PA, pulmonary artery; IE, infective endocarditis; PV, pulmonic valve.

Aggressive infection of the left coronary cusp of the aorta may expand to the intervalvular fibrosa and anterior mitral leaflet, affecting the left heart (33). However, infection of the right or non-coronary cusps risks extension to right heart structures (34). With an aortic root abscess and right coronary cusp involvement, the membranous and muscular portions of the interventricular septum can become secondarily infected. This can result in formation of a ventricular septal defect with interventricular shunting, or direct endothelial IE of the right ventricle or RV outflow tract (RVOT) (35) (Figure 6). Infection of the non-coronary cusp also risks involvement of the interventricular system, albeit in a more posterior location. A ruptured abscess in this anatomic location will lead to fistulous communication into the basal right ventricle or RA (35). Finally, bacterial seeding into the mid and distal interventricular septum is possible, which most readily presents with conduction system abnormalities. Any portion of the septum can form aneurysmal abscess cavities that degenerate into necrotic defects and interventricular shunting (36).

Figure 6 TV IE with an ‘acquired’ ventricular septal defect. Mid transesophageal echocardiography short axis view at 60 degrees. In the left panel there is large vegetation (arrow) attached to and encasing the septal TV leaflet, posterolateral aortic root, and subaortic interventricular septum. An ‘acquired’ membranous ventricular septal defect from infection and destruction of the suboartic interventricular septum is noted (triangle), with a large left-to-right interventricular shunt present (right panel). TV, tricuspid valve; IE, infective endocarditis; RA, right atrium; RV, right ventricle.

Uncommon findings and differentials of right-sided IE

Very large vegetations on the aortic valve (AV) cusps have been shown to carry a risk of coronary artery flow obstruction or particle embolization leading to coronary occlusion (37). Careful attention and a high index of suspicion, both clinically and echocardiographically for new electromechanical complications and wall motion abnormalities in the right coronary artery myocardial territory, is paramount. Purulent pericarditis has been reported in cases of both left and right-sided IE, and is most commonly the result of hematogenous seeding or rupture of mycotic aneurysm into the pericardial space (38). Serous effusions as a result of systemic inflammation are common and non-specific to IE. Finally, the vena cava should be imaged and carefully assessed for thrombus and vegetation formation at the site of pacemaker wires and catheters (Figure 7).

Figure 7 Right atrial IE. Mid transesophageal echocardiography bicaval view at 110 degrees. In the left panel there is large vegetation (arrow) attached to the junction of the right interatrial septum and the ostium of the SVC. Three-dimensional reconstruction of the findings is seen in the right panel. The vegetation presumably resulted from indwelling catheter trauma creating a nidus for endocardial infection. IE, infective endocarditis; SVC, superior vena cava; RA, right atrium.

There are numerous other pathologic and non-pathologic echocardiographic right heart findings that may be misinterpreted or confer a challenge in differentiating from IE. These include, but are not limited to: (I) Chiari network, the embryologic remnant of the sinus venosus that originates at the right atrial-inferior vena cava junction; (II) eustachian valve, the embryonic remnant of the sinus venosus valve (Figure 8); (III) atrial septal aneurysm, which may be mobile or non-mobile and prominent dependent upon the respective atrial pressure; (IV) interatrial septal lipomatous hypertrophy, caused by benign fatty infiltration within the atrial tissue; (V) annular calcification, which creates a challenge when severe in differentiating identifying vegetations particularly when in stages of healing; (VI) RV moderator band, a normal fibrous structure through which the right bundle branch traverses; and, (VII) PA catheter or pacemaker wire(s), which are visualized as linear echodensities in the right heart, RVOT, and/or main PA, with variable mobility and creation of ultrasound artifacts (39-44).

Figure 8 TV endocarditis and normal anatomic variants. Transthoracic echocardiography parasternal short-axis view with a focus on the TV. There is extensive TV endocarditis with encasement of the anterior tricuspid leaflet by vegetation (arrow). In the superior and lateral RA is the eustachian valve, which can be mistaken for vegetation, thrombus, or mass (triangle). TV, tricuspid valve; RA, right atrium.

Diagnosis and management

Prompt clinical, microbiologic, and imaging assessment of patients with suspected left or right-sided IE is of paramount importance. This includes risk stratification, blood cultures, transthoracic echocardiography, and identification of patients who may require early surgical intervention. Point of care ultrasound (PoCUS), or limited bedside echocardiography, is used to complement the traditional physical examination and expedite management. Standard parasternal and short axis views on PoCUS provide a quick and efficient sweep of the cardiac valves to assess for aggressive disease or structural complications due to IE that require immediate intervention (45). The modified Duke criteria provides clinicians and surgeons with a robust and well-validated algorithm for accurate and timely diagnosis of IE based on the presence of two major criteria, one major and three minor criteria, or five minor criteria (Figure 9) (46). It should be noted, however, that the criteria sensitivity may be decreased in right-sided IE only (47). The choice of antimicrobial agent is based on the virility and susceptibility of the pathogen, with typical duration of 4 to 6 weeks. Repeat echocardiography is indicated in the development of septic or embolic complications, congestive heart failure, or new valvular regurgitation or conduction system abnormalities.

Figure 9 The modified duke criteria for the diagnosis of IE. IE is diagnosed when two major criteria, one major and three minor criteria, or five minor criteria are present. IE, infective endocarditis; IVDU, intravenous drug abuse.

The decision and timing of surgical intervention for right-sided IE is driven primarily by disease burden, and the risk of progressive infection with intra-cardiac or systemic complications. Conventional criteria include: (I) highly resistant bacterial or fungal pathogens; (II) large mobile vegetations (>10–20 mm); (III) persistent bacteremia despite antibiotic therapy; and, (IV) septic pulmonary emboli (12). In instances of valvular IE, the timing, surgical approach, performance of valve repair or replacement, and duration of antibiotic therapy requires a multi-disciplinary team approach including a cardiologist, cardiac surgeon, infectious disease specialist, and internist, at a minimum. For prosthetic valve IE, early surgery has been shown in a large meta-analysis to lower the risk of 30-day mortality and increase survival at mid-term follow-up, with a similar rate of IE recurrence when compared with initial conservative medical therapy (48). Finally, indwelling catheters, ports, pacemaker wires, and arteriovenous fistulas should be removed, and re-implantation performed in cases where the devices are required and ideally after completion of antibiotic therapy.

Once surgical intervention has been decided upon in cases of TV IE, the performance of valve repair or replacement is dependent upon several factors including patient age and co-morbidities, extent of valvular destruction and associated complications, and surgeon experience. Nevertheless, as in mitral valve disease, repair of the TV is preferable (49). With either approach it is critical to: (I) address the pathology promptly once the organism has been identified and antibiotics are instituted; and, (II) aggressively debride the infected tissues to at least a 2 mm margin with non-infected tissue. Patients with right-sided IE in the setting of IVDU and prohibitive surgical risk pose a challenge given their high risk of reinfection as a result of IVDU relapse, as well as underlying co-morbidities. When refractory to antibiotic therapy alone, debulking of the vegetation with a veno-venous extracorporeal membranous oxygenation-supported AngioVac system (AngioDynamics, Latham, NY, USA) can be performed safely. This approach allows for a reduction in the burden of friable infective material in the right heart and has been effective in reducing septic pulmonary complications (50). Alternatively, partial or total valvectomy with pericardial patch reconstruction of the TV allows for a more definitive operation, which may appeal to younger patients (51,52) (Figure 10). The pericardial materials are non-antigenic and resistant to infection; nevertheless, mid-term failure from calcification and increased tensile stressors has been reported.

Figure 10 Cylindrical tube pericardial patch reconstruction of the TV. Two-years status post partial tricuspid valvectomy and cylindrical tube pericardial patch reconstruction of the TV (triangle) in a patient with endocarditis due to IVDU. The inflow portion of the tube (arrow) is sutured to the tricuspid annulus, and the outlow to the papillary muscle heads. The low-pressure state of the right heart allows for functioning of the tube as a conduit for flow between the RA and ventricle (left panel), with adequate systolic closure and minimal tricuspid regurgitation (right panel). TV, tricuspid valve; IVDU, intravenous drug a buse; RA, right atrium.

Conclusions

Right-sided IE is a disease process with substantial clinical and socioeconomic ramifications. An early index of suspicion and multi-disciplinary care and treatment planning is of utmost importance to successful medical and surgical management, and in preventing relapse or recurrence. Echocardiography is the gold standard for imaging workup and diagnosis; careful attention to imaging allows for accurate risk stratification, identification of possible intra- and extra-cardiac manifestations, and comprehensive treatment planning.

Acknowledgments

Funding: None.

Footnote

Provenance and Peer Review: This article was commissioned by the editorial office, Annals of Translational Medicine for the series “Infective Endocarditis in the 21st Century”. The article has undergone external peer review.

Reporting Checklist: The authors have completed the Narrative Review reporting checklist. Available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/atm-20-5198

Conflicts of Interest: Both authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/atm-20-5198). The series “Infective Endocarditis in the 21st Century” was commissioned by the editorial office without any funding or sponsorship. FN served as the unpaid Guest Editor of the series and serves as an unpaid editorial board member of Annals of Translational Medicine from Feb 2019 to Jan 2021. CGM served as the unpaid Guest Editor of the series. The authors have no other conflicts of interest to declare.

Ethical Statement: The authors are accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

Open Access Statement: This is an Open Access article distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), which permits the non-commercial replication and distribution of the article with the strict proviso that no changes or edits are made and the original work is properly cited (including links to both the formal publication through the relevant DOI and the license). See: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.

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