A Rare Case of Cardiac Prosthetic Mucormicosis: Things Are Not Always What They Seem

The diagnosis and management of cardiac masses, particularly in the emergent settings, present significant clinical challenges due to their varied etiologies and presentations. This case report describes a 74-year-old male with a history of bioprosthetic mitral valve replacement, presenting with acute heart failure and severe mitral stenosis initially presumed to be thrombosis. However, advanced histopathological and microbiological analysis of the explanted valve identified the underlying cause as early fungal bioprosthetic valve endocarditis caused by Rhizopus oryzae. The authors emphasize the importance of early recognition, multidisciplinary management, and advanced diagnostic tools to optimize the outcomes in such rare and fatal conditions.