Abstract
Fifteen patients, aged 24 to 80, underwent surgery for prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE). Early PVE was present in 7 patients, late PVE in 8 patients. Predisposing factors in early PVE were: urinary tract infections in 2 cases, permanent pacemakers in 2 cases, dental surgery in one case. In 7 cases responsible germs were identified: in 6 patients staphylococci were seen. In 7 patients surgical indication was urgent; in 7 cases infection was active at surgery. Hospital mortality was 4 cases (26.67%). The cause of death was septic shock in 2 cases, low output in one case, electromechanical dissociation in one case. No late death was observed, at 51-month mean follow-up. In conclusion, we believe that surgery must be performed promptly in PVE, whenever indicated, without any delay in observing the effects of antibiotic therapy.
| Translated title of the contribution | Prosthetic valve endocarditis: Severe complication in heart surgery |
|---|---|
| Original language | Italian |
| Title of host publication | Cuore |
| Pages | 561-568 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Volume | 10 |
| Edition | 6 |
| Publication status | Published - 1993 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine