Aspergillus infection of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator

Mayo Clin Proc. 2004 Apr;79(4):549-52. doi: 10.4065/79.4.549.

Abstract

The use of pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators continues to increase for the management of cardiac dysrhythmias and, more recently, heart failure. Long-term complications associated with their use include infection, lead failure, and spurious shocks. Although the risk of infection with intracardiac devices is well known, the clinical presentation of this complication can be insidious, delayed in onset, and difficult to diagnose. We report a case of Aspergillus fumigatus infection of an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator with right-sided endocarditis in a 55-year-old man. The infection presented as persistent pulmonary infiltrates (due to recurrent septic pulmonary embolism) and anemia more than 2 years after implantation of the device. Clinicians should be aware of the variable manifestations resulting from infection of intracardiac devices.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amphotericin B / therapeutic use
  • Anemia / etiology*
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Aspergillosis / diagnosis
  • Aspergillosis / etiology*
  • Aspergillosis / therapy
  • Aspergillus fumigatus*
  • Biopsy
  • Blood Sedimentation
  • Chronic Disease
  • Coronary Artery Bypass
  • Defibrillators, Implantable / adverse effects*
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal
  • Endocarditis / diagnosis
  • Endocarditis / etiology*
  • Endocarditis / therapy
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prosthesis Failure
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / diagnosis
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / etiology*
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / therapy
  • Pulmonary Embolism / diagnosis
  • Pulmonary Embolism / etiology*
  • Pulmonary Embolism / therapy
  • Recurrence
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Amphotericin B