Congenital Gerbode Defects Complicated by Infective Endocarditis: 2 Case Reports

ABSTRACT: Gerbode defect is a rare shunt between the left ventricule and right atrium. The etiology is typically congenital. The infravalvular type is the most common. The congenital defects are believed to close by forming an aneurysmal pouch through incorporating adjacent tricuspid valve tissue. Endocarditis is responsible for this shunt by re-opening the defect. Diagnosis is based on the transesophageal echocardiography. Surgical closure demonstrated an excellent outcome. We present 2 cases with this uncommon congenital shunt complicated by infective endocarditis and septic embolism