Mycotic aneurysm, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and indications for cerebral angiography in infective endocarditis.

We compared the clinical course of 68 patients with infective endocarditis and mycotic aneurysm and 147 patients with infective endocarditis but no mycotic aneurysm. Among the patients with mycotic aneurysm, 57% had subarachnoid hemorrhage without warning. Forty-three percent had a neurologic prodrome 2 days to 18 months (median 17 days) prior to discovery of the mycotic aneurysm. A focal deficit consistent with embolism was the most common prodrome (23%). However, there was no significant difference in the frequency of neurologic symptoms between patients with and without mycotic aneurysm. During an average follow-up of 40 months, there were no instances of subarachnoid hemorrhage/mycotic aneurysm among 121 patients discharged after a full course of antibiotic therapy. Therefore, the risk of rupture of an unsuspected mycotic aneurysm following a full course of antibiotics is low. When a prodrome does precede a mycotic aneurysm, it most often is a focal deficit consistent with embolism. We favor angiography in all patients with infective endocarditis who experience a focal deficit with good recovery. The timing and other indications for angiography in infective endocarditis are discussed.