Late occurrence of fatal aortitis: a complication of Aspergillus endocarditis following coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Abstract

The most common fungal organism to cause endocarditis is Candida which is followed by Aspergillus. Aspergillus endocarditis can occur in either the native or prosthetic heart valves, usually occurs post-operative after cardiac valve surgery. This case is illustrative of a 49-year-old man with previous history of coronary artery bypass grafting presenting with aortic valve endocarditis which was diagnosed as Aspergillus endocarditis. Unfortunately, despite medical and surgical therapy, progressive fatal aortic invasion occurred.