Prosthetic valve endocarditis.

Prosthetic valve endocarditis is an infrequent but serious complication of valve surgery. It occurred in 25 (3.2%) of 772 patients who received aortic, mitral or double valve replacement in 1971-1987. The total follow-up time was 3,976 patient years, giving an incidence of 0.63/100 patient years. Staphylococci were the most common of the cultured organisms in early and late infections-60% and 64%, respectively. The endocarditis was disclosed at autopsy in two cases. Treatment was antibiotics alone in 11 cases, and surgery was required in 12, the indication always being congestive heart failure. C-reactive protein level fell more rapidly than erythrocyte sedimentation rate in response to antibiotic or surgical management. The mortality rate was 73% in the antibiotic group and 33% in the surgical group. The findings demonstrated that an infected valve prosthesis should be replaced without delay if complications develop.