title: Splenectomy and Valve Replacement in Patients With Infective Endocarditis and Splenic Abscesses.
abstract: In patients with infective endocarditis (IE), splenic involvement is a rare but well-known adverse event. The treatment of patients with IE and splenic abscesses is still challenging and controversial. We report 3 patients with IE and splenic abscesses who underwent successful valve replacement and splenectomy. Our experience confirms that in such a patient, a valve operation combined with splenectomy can be performed with excellent results during the same hospitalization. The timing of splenectomy and the type of surgical approach should be based mainly on the stability of a patient's hemodynamic condition.
authors.affiliation: Section of Cardiac Surgery, Cardiac Thoracic and Vascular Department, University Hospital, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefania
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Blasi
authors.affiliation: Section of Cardiac Surgery, Cardiac Thoracic and Vascular Department, University Hospital, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Martino
authors.affiliation: Section of Cardiac Surgery, Cardiac Thoracic and Vascular Department, University Hospital, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Maurizio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Levantino
authors.affiliation: Section of Cardiac Surgery, Cardiac Thoracic and Vascular Department, University Hospital, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pratali
authors.affiliation: Section of Cardiac Surgery, Cardiac Thoracic and Vascular Department, University Hospital, Pisa, Italy.
authors.forename: Gerardo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Anastasio
authors.affiliation: Section of Cardiac Surgery, Cardiac Thoracic and Vascular Department, University Hospital, Pisa, Italy. Electronic address: uberto.bortolotti@med.unipi.it.
authors.forename: Uberto
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Bortolotti
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D000368:Aged; D004696:Endocarditis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013156:Splenectomy; D013158:Splenic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed