The term nonbacterial thrombotic endocarditis (NBTE), or marantic endocarditis, refers to a spectrum of lesions ranging from microscopic aggregates of platelets to large vegetations on previously undamaged heart valves (most often aortic and mitral) in the absence of a bloodstream bacterial infection.

What causes Marantic endocarditis?

Marantic endocarditis (a.k.a. non-bacterial thrombotic endocarditis or NBTE) occurs from deposition of thrombus and fibrinous material on the heart valves, most commonly the mitral valve. This is frequently associated with hypercoagulable states, adenocarcinomas and systemic lupus erythematosus.

What causes non-bacterial endocarditis?

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.