[Valvular replacement in florid endocarditis. Report on 5 cases]

This is an account of experience with valve replacement in patients with active endocarditis. In four patients the aortic valve was replaced, and in one, the mitral valve. Indication for surgery in all five cases was heart insufficiency. Two patients died, one of acute left heart failure five weeks postoperatively, and one of brain embolus in the presence of persisting acute endocarditis, four months postoperatively. Covered in the discussion are other indications for valve replacement in the presence of acute endocarditis, namely, serial emboli, fungus endocarditis, resistance to and toxic reactions of antibiotics, and mycotic sinus of valsava aneurysm. In conclusion, results obtained by other authors are reported.