Endovascular Repair as a Bridge to Open Repair of a Ruptured Descending Thoracic Aspergillus Aortitis

Ann Thorac Surg. 2017 Dec;104(6):e425-e428. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2017.04.055. Epub 2017 May 9.

Abstract

Invasive aspergillosis rarely involves the thoracic aorta and is associated with a poor prognosis. A 56-year-old heart transplant recipient presented with invasive aspergillosis, primary Aspergillus aortitis, and a ruptured thoracic aorta pseudoaneurysm. Open surgical repair was not possible because of severe sepsis. Therefore, a sequential surgical strategy was planned, including emergency thoracic endovascular aortic repair, followed by antifungal treatment and definitive open repair with explantation of the endograft and placement of a cryopreserved arterial allograft under extracorporeal membrane oxygenator support. The infection did not reoccur during follow-up, and the patient remained alive and well 13 months after the operation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aortic Rupture / etiology
  • Aortic Rupture / surgery*
  • Aortitis / complications*
  • Aortitis / microbiology*
  • Aortitis / therapy
  • Aspergillosis / diagnosis*
  • Aspergillosis / therapy
  • Aspergillus fumigatus*
  • Endovascular Procedures*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged