Mycotic Endocarditis Following Intracardiac Operations

Abstract

MYCOTIC endocarditis, especially after cardiac surgery, has seldom been observed.1 2 3 Bacterial endocarditis complicating recovery from such operations, however, is not uncommon,3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 is usually disclosed by blood culture and is often responsive to appropriate antimicrobial therapy. No distinction between mycotic and bacterial endocarditides can be made on clinical grounds. Therefore, investigation of postoperative fever calls for procedures that will identify fungi as well as bacteria.It would seem that mycotic endocarditis is increasing.13 , 14 If true, this would not be surprising, considering the ubiquity of fungi and the rapidly expanding field of cardiac surgery. Within a nine-month period, 4 cases of endocarditis . . .