Outcomes of Candida and Non-Candida Aortic Graft Infection.

Abstract

To evaluate and compare the outcomes of Candida- and non-Candida-associated aortic graft infections. We retrospectively analyzed the data from patients treated for aortic graft infection from 2015 to 2021 in our hospital. A total of 66 patients (56 men; median age, 69years; range, 50-87years) were admitted with aortic graft infection, including 21 (32%) patients in the Candida group and 45 (68%) in the non-Candida group. The average time between initial operation and presentation of aortic graft infection was 50months (range, 1-332months). Graft-enteric fistulas (GEFs) were more often in the Candida group (57% vs 27%, P = .017). The most proven causative fungal specimen was C. albicans in 16 (76%) patients. Non-albicans Candida was found in 9% of all patients and 29% of the Candida patients. The median ICU length of stay was longer in the Candida group than non-Candida (10 vs 9days, P = .012). Additionally, the median hospital length of stay was longer in the Candida group (33 vs 22days, P = .048). There were no statistically significant differences between Candida and non-Candida groups according to the in-hospital mortality (24% vs 24%, P = .955), and 1-year mortality (38% vs 38%, P = .980). Patients with bacterial and fungal aortic graft infections have high rates of morbidity and mortality. We found no significant differences in postoperative morbidity and mortality between Candida and non-Candida patients. However, the ICU and hospital length of stay were longer in the Candida group.