Author/Authors :
Merza, Nooraldin Department of Internal Medicine -Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, USA , Lung, John School of Medicine - Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, USA , Bainum, Taryn B. Department of Pharmacy Practice - Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Amarillo, TX, USA , Mohammedzein, Assad Department of Internal Medicine -Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, USA , James, Shanna Department of Pharmacy Practice - Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, Amarillo, TX, USA , Saadaldin, Mazin Department of Internal Medicine -Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, USA , Naguib, Tarek Department of Internal Medicine -Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Amarillo, TX, USA
Abstract :
A 36-year-old male presented to the ED with acute chronic hyponatremia found on routine weekly lab work with one-week history
of generalized weakness, confusion, nausea/vomiting, and diarrhea. The patient has nonischemic cardiomyopathy of unknown
etiology diagnosed in his teens with an AICD device placed 8 years ago and receiving milrinone infusion 3 years ago via
peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line. Two sets of blood cultures grew Candida dubliniensis. The patient was started
on micafungin and the PICC line was removed and replaced with a central line. A transthoracic echocardiogram (TEE) showed
findings consistent with AICD lead involvement. The patient was continued on treatment for fungal infective endocarditis and
transferred to another hospital where he had successful AICD lead extraction. Blood cultures upon transfer back to our facility
were positive for methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). This bacteremia was thought to be secondary to rightsided internal jugular (IJ) central line and resolved with line removal and initiation of intravenous (IV) cefazolin. The patient
was discharged on IV cefazolin and IV micafungin. He had a LifeVest® until completion of his antibiotic course and a new
AICD was placed.