Jessica M. Bazo-Medina, Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital General de México Dr. Eduardo Liceaga, Ciudad de México, México
José L. Barón-Caballero, Servicio de Ecocardiografía, Hospital General de México Dr. Eduardo Liceaga, Ciudad de México, México
Darwin S. Hernández-Pineda, Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital General de México Dr. Eduardo Liceaga, Ciudad de México, México
Pamela M. Muñoz-Reyes, Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital General de México Dr. Eduardo Liceaga, Ciudad de México, México
Adán R. Mares-Orozco, Servicio de Ecocardiografía, Hospital General de México Dr. Eduardo Liceaga, Ciudad de México, México
Jesús U. Marín-Contreras, Servicio de Anatomía Patológica, Hospital General de México Dr. Eduardo Liceaga, Ciudad de México, México
In the approach to endocarditis, echocardiography is crucial for diagnosis, as it allows assessment of hemodynamic compromise, identification of complications, and surgical treatment planning. When the infection involves a native valve, vegetations can be observed; their echocardiographic characteristics of size, location, morphology, and mobility help differentiate the lesion from other cardiac masses, always in adequate correlation with the patient’s clinical context. Right-sided heart chambers are less frequently affected (5-10%) compared to endocarditis of the mitral and aortic valves. This presentation is more prevalent among people who use intravenous drugs. Vegetations of the Eustachian valve, an embryonic remnant at the junction of the inferior vena cava and the right atrium, have only been reported in exceptional cases, making their identification akin to finding a needle in a haystack.
Keywords: Endocarditis. Eustachian valve. Case report.