Valve replacement for bacterial endocarditis.

During the 10-year period 1970-79, 88 patients underwent valve replacement for complications of bacterial endocarditis. The mean age of the patients was 42 (15-60) years. There were 64 men and 22 women. Thirty-three patients had a history of rheumatic fever. In 11 cases the murmur was heard already in childhood. In 44 cases (50%) no heart disease was diagnosed before the onset of symptoms of bacterial endocarditis. Strepto- and staphylococci were the most common organisms found in culture. In 12 cases a dental and in 12 a respiratory tract infection preceded the endocarditis. In 51 cases, however, the origin of the infection remained unestablished. Intractable heart failure and embolizations were most common indications for operation. Only 9 patients underwent operation in the acute phase. Aortic valve replacement (AVR) was performed in 58 cases, mitral valve replacement (MVR) in 19, both AVR and MVR in 6, AVR and aneurysm of sinus Valsalva repair in 3 cases, AVR and repair of VSD in one and AVR combined with myocardial revascularization and replacement of the ascending aorta for aneurysm in one case. The early mortality was 9 patients (10%) and late mortality 9 patients. During follow-up times of up to 10 years, 7 patients experienced embolic complications. They recovered uneventfully. One valve prosthesis was replaced because of thrombosis and another due to paraprosthetic leak. Two patients had a late recurrent bacterial endocarditis 5 and 8 years postoperatively. They were treated conservatively and recovered. It was concluded that after valve replacement for bacterial endocarditis, the risk of recurrent infection is relatively low and that results approaching those for elective valve replacement can be achieved.