[Mitral valve repair for infectious endocarditis].

Fourteen patients with mitral regurgitation resulting from infectious endocarditis underwent mitral valve repair between December 1988 and July 1994. There were nine males and five females aged from 14 to 70 years (mean 40.2 +/- 19.7 years). Three patients had active endocarditis. Time between the onset of endocarditis symptoms and surgery ranged from 1 to 24 months (mean 8.3 months). Bacterial findings were Streptococcus in eight patients, Staphylococcus in one, and unknown in five. All macroscopically infected tissue was excised in patients with active endocarditis. Carpentier's reconstructive techniques were mainly used. There were no hospital deaths. Mean follow-up was 29 months and complete. Thirteen patients were in New York Heart Association functional class I and one in class II. There were no late deaths, reoperations, recurrent endocarditis, thromboembolic events, or other valve-related morbidity. We conclude that mitral valve repair is an attractive procedure in patients with mitral regurgitation resulting from infectious endocarditis.