title: Mycotic pseudo-aneurysm of the ascending thoracic aorta after cardiac transplantation.
abstract: A large mycotic pseudo-aneurysm of the ascending thoracic aorta was found in a patient with empyema and infectious mediastinitis after an orthotopic heart transplant procedure. The patient underwent surgical resection of the pseudo-aneurysm with patch aortoplasty and was treated with appropriate long-term antibiotic therapy. The patient continues to do well 3 months after surgery. Early surgical intervention combined with pre-operative and prolonged post-operative antibiotic therapy and close follow-up is essential in these patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiopulmonary Transplantation, Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: Nanthini
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Palanichamy
authors.forename: Igor D
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Gregoric
authors.forename: Saverio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: La Francesca
authors.forename: Frank W
authors.initials: FW
authors.lastname: Smart
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017541:Aneurysm, False / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D000785:Aneurysm, Infected / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D017545:Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography; D008297:Male; D008480:Mediastinitis / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D013270:Stomach / Q000293:injuries*