Aortic rupture caused by fungal aortitis: successful management after heart transplantation

A 26-year-old man with end-stage idiopathic cardiomyopathy was supported with a Pierce-Donachy left ventricular assist device for 31 days before orthotopic heart transplantation. Fungal endocarditis was discovered at the time of recipient cardiectomy, and antifungal therapy was begun. Fungal mediastinitis developed 4 days after transplantation and was treated with mediastinal irrigation. Massive mediastinal hemorrhage caused by fungal aortitis occurred on two occasions and was successfully treated with a bovine pericardial patch. The patient is well 9 months after transplantation.