Infected right atrial thrombus after explantation of a left ventricular assist device.
Finding the source of a fungal infection and selecting the most appropriate treatment for candidemia is often challenging for physicians, especially when the patient has a complex medical history. We describe the case of a 48-year-old woman who had persistent candidemia after undergoing explantation of a left ventricular assist device. The source of the infection was found to be a right atrial thrombus. The mass was removed, and the patient underwent aggressive treatment with micafungin. Removal of the right atrial mass, followed by potent antifungal treatment, resulted in a successful recovery.
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
Mehmet H
MH
Akay
Mustafa
M
Sirlak
Igor D
ID
Gregoric
O H
OH
Frazier
D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D058387:Candidemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D020878:Device Removal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000382:microbiology; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017131:Thrombectomy; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000925:Anticoagulants; D000935:Antifungal Agents