Surgical treatment of aortic valve endocarditis: the use of mechanical disc [sorin] valve

ABSTRACT

We report 16 cases, [14 males, 2 females, with a mean age of 32. 7 + 5. 3 year], of aortic valve endocarditis treated surgically by aortic valve replacement [Sorin] mechanical disc valve. Native valve endocarditis was present in 9 cases, and artificial valve endocarditis in 7 cases. Four patients had aortic root abscess in addition, treated with debridment, exteriorization and obliteration. In this series we have two mortalities, and patients who survived the procedure showed marked haemodynamic and clinical improvement after surgery as well as subsidence and clearance of infection at follow up of 6 months to 2 years [two patients were lost in follow up]. We conclude that [sorin] disc mechanical valve is a good choice in presence of infection provided that we follow the precautions to clear the bed of the valve completely before insertion