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Updated: Aug 7, 2026

A New Murine Model of Endovascular Aortic Aneurysm Repair
Published on: July 7, 2013
Fungal infection in a dissecting aneurysm of the thoracic aorta
1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Houston 77225-0345.
Abstract:
We describe a 54-year-old man who had an ascending aortic prosthetic graft and a porcine aortic valve prosthesis that were infected by Candida albicans. This infection led to the formation of a dissecting false aneurysm of the remaining transverse and entire descending thoracic aorta, and the man was admitted to our hospital for surgical treatment in February of 1991. Staged in situ graft replacement was performed using Borst's "elephant trunk" repair for the proximal aortic reconstruction and an open distal anastomosis technique for the distal repair. Candida albicans in the residual prosthetic graft was identified, and therapy with high-dose liposomal amphotericin B was initiated. The use of liposomal amphotericin B reduces the incidence of adverse effects and allows administration of higher doses than those possible with conventional amphotericin B therapy. Lifelong antifungal therapy is recommended for patients with C. albicans infection of prosthetic aortic grafts.
Insights
A Candida albicans infection compromised a patient's aortic graft and valve, leading to a dissecting aneurysm. Surgical repair and high-dose liposomal amphotericin B were administered, with lifelong antifungal therapy recommended for similar cases.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Infectious Diseases
- Mycology
Background:
- Prosthetic aortic grafts and valves are susceptible to microbial infections.
- Candida albicans poses a significant risk for prosthetic cardiovascular device infections.
- Aortic graft infection can lead to severe complications like pseudoaneurysms.
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