Aspergillus infection in the ascending aorta of a patient with aortic and mitral valve prostheses

Arq Bras Cardiol. 2003 Oct;81(4):419-20, 417-8. doi: 10.1590/s0066-782x2003001200009. Epub 2003 Nov 5.
[Article in English, Portuguese]

Abstract

We report the case of implantation of metallic mitral and aortic valve prostheses 6 months earlier, with subsequent multiple embolic episodes. The anatomicopathological examination of the thrombus of the third embolic episode was compatible with Aspergillus sp, which was treated with amphotericin B, followed by oral itraconazole. On the fourth embolism, vegetations were visualized in the ascending aorta on echocardiography and resonance imaging, and the patient underwent replacement of the aortic segment by a Haemashield tube and exploration of the aortic prosthesis, which was preserved, because no signs of endocarditis were found. Four months later, the patient died due to cardiogenic shock secondary to acute myocardial infarction caused by probable coronary embolism and partial dysfunction of the aortic prosthesis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Aorta / microbiology*
  • Aspergillosis / diagnosis
  • Aspergillosis / drug therapy
  • Aspergillosis / etiology*
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis / microbiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mitral Valve / surgery
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / diagnostic imaging
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / drug therapy
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / microbiology*

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents