Suspected Infective Endocarditis in a Premature Neonate After Patent Ductus Arteriosus Occluder Placement: A Case Report.

Abstract

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is the most common cardiac abnormality in premature neonates, and percutaneous, transcatheter occlusion devices are increasingly used for its nonsurgical closure. Even though PDA occluders are safe and effective, they are not without risks. Infective endocarditis (IE), a complication associated with percutaneous occlusion device placement in other congenital heart conditions, has not been described with a PDA occluder. We describe a case of suspected endocarditis in an extremely low birth weight (ELBW) neonate after PDA occluder placement.