Vegetation Formation and Aortitis as a Possible Sequela of COVID-19 in a Patient with an Aortic Stent: A Case Report

Abstract

Bacteria, especially staphylococcal groups, cause aortic graft infection. Infection stems from synthetic materials that repair aneurysms or artery blockages. Aortic stent infection and vegetation formation are rare, and heterogeneous presentations and ambiguous findings in routine diagnostic modalities render the diagnosis challenging.
A 25-year-old man with a history of catheter-based aortic stenting for hypertension associated with severe aortic coarctation was referred to our tertiary care hospital. Five months before the presentation, the patient had been infected with COVID-19, but he recovered after mild symptoms. Nevertheless, 3 months later, he developed erythematous lesions, progressive anorexia, epigastric pain, fever, and weakness. The results of blood tests, blood cultures, transthoracic echocardiography, plain chest radiography, computed tomography angiography, and electrocardiography were unremarkable. We found severe infectious aortitis, crescent thickness surrounding the aorta, pseudoaneurysm development, and a mass with dimensions of 17 mm×8 mm within the aortic stent on transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy was initiated, and the patient was transferred to the operating room, where the infected stent and adhesive vegetation were removed. The patient recovered remarkably after the surgery and was discharged. At 6 months’ follow-up, he was in good condition.
Our findings highlight the significance of maintaining vigilance and a high level of clinical suspicion for the possibility of vegetation formation and aortitis as the possible sequelae of COVID-19, particularly in patients with an implanted stent. Furthermore, we strongly suggest TEE in patients with implanted stents to detect vegetation and aortitis.