Candida Endocarditis Associated With Cardiac Rhythm Management Devices: Review With Current Treatment Guidelines
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-1-2011
Description
Coincident with an increased use of cardiac rhythm management devices (CRMD) has been an increase in the number of pacemaker and cardioverter-defibrillator infections. CRMD endocarditis accounts for about 10% of all device-related infections, and cardiac infection caused by Candida sp. is a rare event. To date, only sporadic reports of this unusual and life-threatening event have been reported. By describing a case of CRMD-related Candida endocarditis and conducting a literature review, we provide a detailed characterisation of this unusual clinical entity with an emphasis on diagnosis, management and treatment. A case of CRMD-related Candida endocarditis is presented and a computer search for confirmed cases of CRMD-Candida endocarditis was conducted. Current recommendations for management and treatment were documented. From 1969 to 2009, 15 patients with CRMD-Candida endocarditis (12 pacemaker and three implanted cardioverter-defibrillator) were documented. All were males, non-albicans Candida sp. were frequently recovered, a major fungal embolus occurred in 27% of patients and two of 10 patients who received defined antifungal therapy and device explantation expired. CRMD Candida endocarditis is a rare and serious clinical event; isolates can include Candida albicans and other Candida sp., and treatment involves both targeted antifungal therapy and device removal.
Citation Information
Halawa, Ahmad; Henry, Philip D.; and Sarubbi, Felix A.. 2011. Candida Endocarditis Associated With Cardiac Rhythm Management Devices: Review With Current Treatment Guidelines. Mycoses. Vol.54(4). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0507.2010.01866.x PMID: 21672037 ISSN: 0933-7407