Infected right atrial thrombus after explantation of a left ventricular assist device

Tex Heart Inst J. 2012;39(3):390-2.

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Candida albicans; fungemia/drug therapy/surgery; infection, fungal; left ventricular assist device; sepsis/etiology; thrombus, right atrial.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Candidemia / diagnosis
  • Candidemia / microbiology*
  • Candidemia / therapy
  • Device Removal / adverse effects*
  • Echocardiography
  • Female
  • Heart Atria / microbiology
  • Heart Diseases / diagnosis
  • Heart Diseases / microbiology*
  • Heart Diseases / therapy
  • Heart-Assist Devices*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Thrombectomy
  • Thrombosis / diagnosis
  • Thrombosis / microbiology*
  • Thrombosis / therapy
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Antifungal Agents