Acute aortic occlusion from aspergillosis in a healthy patient with survival.
Valvular endocarditis caused by Aspergillus is a lethal disease. Only two survivors, both with infections of prosthetic valves, have been reported in the world literature. This report describes a patient with an Aspergillus valvular endocarditis on a native valve with embolization to the right axillary, left iliac, and left popliteal arteries and the distal aorta. Diagnosis was made from a thromboembolectomy specimen. Treatment consisted of removal of the peripheral arterial emboli, mitral valve replacement, and prolonged intravenous infusion of high-dose amphotericin B. The patient presently has the longest survival period of any patient with an Aspergillus infection on a native heart valve. The importance of early diagnosis and aggressive operative management by the vascular surgeon needed to properly treat these patients is emphasized.
D000328:Adult; D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D001228:Aspergillosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D001366:Axillary Artery; D004617:Embolism / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D007083:Iliac Artery; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000601:surgery; D011150:Popliteal Artery
D000666:Amphotericin B