Cardiac Imaging and Management of Prosthetic Valve Candida Parapsilosis Endocarditis

Cureus. 2021 Jul 1;13(7):e16082. doi: 10.7759/cureus.16082. eCollection 2021 Jul.

Abstract

Fungal infective endocarditis is a rare and serious form of endocarditis associated with severe morbidity and mortality. The greatest propensity for infection can be found in patients with implanted prosthetic valves, implanted cardiac devices, and intravenous drug use. We present a case of a 45-year-old male with a prior bioprosthetic mitral valve who was diagnosed with Candida parapsilosis endocarditis. Computed tomography imaging of the abdomen was significant for splenic infarcts, and transesophageal echocardiography demonstrated a 1.23 cm x 0.55 cm lesion and 1.02 cm x 0.545 cm lesion on the bioprosthetic valve. The patient was subsequently treated with Amphotericin B and life-long Fluconazole. This case highlights the imaging findings and treatment of a rare disease process.

Keywords: candida endocarditis; fungal; prosthetic heart valve; splenic infarcts; transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography.

Publication types

  • Case Reports