Combined Surgical and Medical Therapy for Candida Prosthetic Endocarditis in a Patient with Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot

Int Heart J. 2018 Jul 31;59(4):877-880. doi: 10.1536/ihj.17-314. Epub 2018 Jun 6.

Abstract

Candida prosthetic endocarditis (CPE) is an uncommon and fatal complication in adults with congenital heart disease. The current guidelines for the management of fungal endocarditis recommend a combination of surgical and medical therapy. However, it still remains uncertain when surgical management in CPE patients should be performed. Therefore, the prognosis of CPE patients is very poor. Here we report a case of CPE in a 31-year-old woman who had undergone surgical repair for tetralogy of Fallot during childhood and pulmonary valve replacement at the age of 21 years. She underwent re-pulmonary valve replacement after being sufficiently sterilized with a 5-week course of antifungal medical therapy, leading to clinical improvement. In CPE patients, it is necessary to perform surgical therapy while suppressing the activity of fungi as much as possible.

Keywords: Antifungal agents; Case reports; Fluconazole; Infective endocarditis; Pulmonary valve.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antifungal Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Candidiasis* / etiology
  • Candidiasis* / physiopathology
  • Candidiasis* / surgery
  • Endocarditis* / etiology
  • Endocarditis* / microbiology
  • Endocarditis* / physiopathology
  • Endocarditis* / surgery
  • Female
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / adverse effects*
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / methods
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis* / adverse effects
  • Heart Valve Prosthesis* / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Prognosis
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections* / microbiology
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections* / physiopathology
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections* / surgery
  • Pulmonary Valve* / microbiology
  • Pulmonary Valve* / surgery
  • Reoperation / methods*
  • Tetralogy of Fallot / surgery*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents