Mycotic Intracranial Aneurysm Secondary to Left Ventricular Assist Device Infection

Abstract

Background—Mycotic aneurysms are a complication of infective endocarditis. Infection of left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) may lead to bacteremia and fever causing complications similar to those seen in
patients with prosthetic valve endocarditis. Intracranial mycotic aneurysms are rare, and their presence is
signaled by the development of subarachnoid hemorrhage in the setting of bacteremia and aneurysms located distal to the circle of Willis.
Case Presentation—We present the case of a patient with a LVAD presenting with headache who is
found to have an intracranial mycotic aneurysm through computed tomography angiography of the head.
The patient was successfully treated with endovascular intervention.
Conclusion—In patients with LVADs, mycotic aneurysms have been reported, however not intracranially. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first intracranial mycotic aneurysm secondary to LVAD infection that was successfully treated with endovascular repair. Intracranial mycotic aneurysms associated with
LVADs are a rare phenomenon. The diagnosis of mycotic aneurysms requires a high index of suspicion in
patients who present with bacteremia with or without headache and other neurological symptoms.
Disclosure—None.