Late occurrence of fatal aortitis: a complication of Aspergillus endocarditis following coronary artery bypass graft surgery.

The most common fungal organism to cause endocarditis is Candida which is followed by Aspergillus. Aspergillus endocarditis can occur in either the native or prosthetic heart valves, usually occurs post-operative after cardiac valve surgery. This case is illustrative of a 49-year-old man with previous history of coronary artery bypass grafting presenting with aortic valve endocarditis which was diagnosed as Aspergillus endocarditis.

Anticoagulation for prosthetic heart valves in pregnancy. Is there an answer?

The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the different anticoagulation regimens used in pregnant women with prosthetic heart valves. We reviewed 196 pregnancies in 110 women from 1974 to 2000. The patients were divided into two groups: group 1 (142 pregnancies) had warfarin throughout pregnancy; and in group 2 (54 pregnancies), warfarin was replaced by subcutaneous heparin during the first trimester and last two weeks of pregnancy.