title: Prosthetic valve endocarditis.
abstract: Prosthetic valve endocarditis is a catastrophic complication of cardiac valve replacement, associated with high mortality rates. Medical treatment is effective in a few instances of endocarditis involving the leaflets alone in bioprostheses. However, accurate diagnosis, better myocardial protection, and improved surgical strategies have led to better survival in patients undergoing surgery after failed conservative therapy. This comprehensive review addresses various issues involved in the management of this complication.
authors.affiliation: Cardiothoracic Center, Bristol Royal Infirmary, Bristol, United Kingdom. b.mahesh@imperial.ac.uk
authors.forename: Balakrishnan
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mahesh
authors.forename: Gianni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Angelini
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Caputo
authors.forename: Xu Yu
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bryan
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001705:Bioprosthesis / Q000382:microbiology; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal; D004696:Endocarditis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D004867:Equipment Design; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents