Morocho-Saldarriaga et al. (2026)
Palabras claves: endocarditis infecciosa; embolia séptica; embolización sistémica; vegetación;
ictus; infarto esplénico; embolia renal; cirugía valvular.
Abstract
Background: Infective endocarditis (IE) remains associated with a substantial burden of embolic
complications. Septic embolization may precede the diagnosis, occur during antimicrobial
therapy, or determine the indication and timing of surgery. The central nervous system and spleen
are the classic embolic territories in left-sided IE, but the kidneys, mesenteric circulation, coronary
arteries, and limbs may also be involved. Objective: To synthesize the clinical presentation,
systemic embolic patterns, diagnostic tools, and therapeutic strategies described in case reports
and case series of IE complicated by septic embolization, integrating these observations with
contemporary evidence and guideline recommendations. Methods:
A
structured
PubMed/MEDLINE search, supplemented by backward reference searching, was performed
through September 1, 2026. Reports and series describing definite or highly probable IE with
extracardiac embolization documented by imaging, surgery, or pathology were prioritized. Data
on valve involvement, microbiology, embolic territory, echocardiographic features, antimicrobial
therapy, interventions, and outcomes were extracted. Because of the intrinsic heterogeneity of
case reports, a qualitative synthesis without meta-analysis was undertaken. Results: Published
cases demonstrate a wide clinical spectrum, ranging from ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke as the
first manifestation to simultaneous multiorgan embolization involving the brain, spleen, kidneys,
mesentery, coronary arteries, and extremities. More aggressive patterns are repeatedly
associated with large or mobile vegetations, Staphylococcus aureus, prosthetic valve
endocarditis, unusual pathogens, and diagnostic delay. Transesophageal echocardiography and
targeted or whole-body extracardiac imaging are central to staging disease extent. Recurrent
embolization, uncontrolled infection, heart failure, or high-risk vegetations should prompt early
multidisciplinary surgical assessment. Conclusions: Systemic septic embolization converts IE into
a
time-sensitive multiorgan disease. Outcomes depend on early microbiologic and
echocardiographic diagnosis, active detection of embolic foci, appropriate antimicrobial therapy,
source control, and timely valve surgery. Case-based evidence particularly highlights the need
for individualized decisions in the presence of neurologic lesions, splenic abscess, mesenteric
ischemia, or coronary embolism.
Keywords: infective endocarditis; septic embolism; systemic embolization; vegetation; stroke;
splenic infarction; renal embolism; valve surgery.
pacientes con insuficiencia cardiaca,
1
. Introducción
infección
no
controlada
o
y
La endocarditis infecciosa es una
infección del endocardio,
complicaciones neurológicas
embólicas.
habitualmente valvular, capaz de
producir destrucción tisular local y
complicaciones sistémicas por
bacteriemia persistente, inflamación
La embolización constituye una de
las manifestaciones definitorias de la
naturaleza sistémica de la EI. En
series contemporáneas y revisiones,
los eventos embólicos clínicos
afectan aproximadamente a una
quinta parte o más de los pacientes;
además, la imagen cerebral o
abdominal puede detectar lesiones
y
desprendimiento de material
vegetante. Aunque su incidencia es
relativamente baja, la mortalidad
hospitalaria y a mediano plazo sigue
siendo elevada, sobre todo en