Two cases of infected atherosclerotic aneurysms and a comparison with infective endocarditis.

Two cases of infected atherosclerotic aneurysms thought to have arisen following haematogenous seeding of atheromatous lesions are described. Although infective endocarditis also arises by the haematogenous route, there are striking contrasts in both the range and therefore likely source of organisms, together with a perceived difference in the rate of blood-culture positivity. This case report provides a focus for discussion of these observations.