Candidemia in Patients with Ventricular Assist Devices

Abstract

During the period 1998-2004, candidemia developed in 7 of 117 ventricular assist device recipients at our hospital, and the associated mortality rate was 71%. Five cases of candidemia were due to Candida parapsilosis, and 2 were due to Candida albicans. Three of the 7 patients with ventricular assist device-associated Candida bloodstream infections were cured, and the device was retained in 2 of the 3 patients.