CARDIAC ASPERGILLOSIS PRESENTING AS MYOCARDIAL-INFARCTION

Immunosuppression can allow organisms which are not usually pathogenet ic to cause disease. Invasive fungal disease is becoming increasingly prevalent because of the growing numbers of patients who are immunosup pressed. Aspergillus species frequently form large masses of fungal el ements, 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 necro sis and infarction. Although the epicardial coronary arteries were fre e of disease, the patient ultimately died in cardiogenic shock.