Gerbode Defect as a Result of Fungal Aortic Valve Endocarditis

A 63-year-old male patient with HIV disease presented with dyspnea and complete heart block, and was found to have aortic valve (AV) endocarditis secondary to Candida parapsilosis infection. Echocardiography demonstrated AV endocarditis and possible aortic root versus subannular abscess with moderate AV regurgitation (AR), a ventricular septal defect (VSD) and possible left ventricular to right atrial shunt (Gerbode defect). Large AV vegetations, subannular abscess with an acquired membranous VSD, Gerbode defect, and tricuspid annular abscess at the insertion of septal leaflet were noted intraoperatively. The patient underwent AV replacement with a stented bioprosthesis, two-sided VSD patch closure, and tricuspid valve (TV) repair with an annuloplasty ring. The left-sided patch closed the VSD and facilitated AV replacement, while the right-sided patch facilitated the TV repair