Fatal fungal infection complicating aortic dissection following coronary artery bypass grafting

The case of a 52-year-old man with severe coronary atheroma/ischaemic heart disease, who underwent successful triple vessel coronary artery bypass gra fting is described. One month later this was complicated by aortic dissecti on arising at the aortic cannulation site. An emergency resection and Dacro n graft placement were performed. Five weeks later he represented with haem optysis. Despite inconclusive investigations the patient went on to suffer a massive fatal haemoptysis. Autopsy revealed Candida infection of the graf t with a secondary aortobronchial fistula. (C) 2000 The International Socie ty for Cardiovascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All right s reserved.