Cardiac aspergillosis presenting as myocardial infarction

Abstract

Immunosuppression can allow organisms which are not usually pathogenetic to cause disease. Invasive fungal disease is becoming increasingly prevalent because of the growing numbers of patients who are immunosuppressed. Aspergillus species frequently form large masses of fungal elements, thrombin, and fibrin, within the vasculature. These masses can then embolize, leading to organ infarction. Reported herein is a case of aspergillosis invading the myocardium and causing widespread necrosis and infarction. Although the epicardial coronary arteries were free of disease, the patient ultimately died in cardiogenic shock.