Non-infective Endocarditis

In non-infective endocarditis or nonbacterial thrombic endocarditis, sterile clots form on cardiac valves and nearby endocardium as a result of trauma, vasculitis or a hypercoagulable state such as pregnancy.

This condition usually affects valves that have not previously been damaged. Noninfective endocarditis refers to formation of sterile platelet and fibrin thrombi on cardiac valves and adjacent endocardium in response to trauma, circulating immune complexes, vasculitis, or a hypercoagulable state. Symptoms are those of systemic arterial embolism. Diagnosis is by echocardiography and negative blood cultures. Treatment consists of anticoagulants.