Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 5, 2026
Full-root Aortic Valve Replacement by Stentless Aortic Xenografts in Patients with Small Aortic Roots
Published on: May 21, 2017
[Aortic homograft implantation in severe endocarditis]
Signe Foghsgaard1, Niels Eske Bruun, Henrik Kåre Kjaergård
1Gentofte Hospital, Thoraxkirurgisk Afdeling R, Hellerup.
Introduction:
Severe endocarditis of the native aortic valve or a prosthetic valve with destruction of the cusps, paravalvular abscess formation and/or fistulas caused by aggressive bacteria has a mortality of almost 100% without surgery. The objective was to evaluate the results of treatment with an aortic homograft in combination with antibiotics.
Materials And Methods:
24 patients with either aortic prosthetic valve endocarditis (n = 16) or severe aortic endocarditis (n = 8) were operated with implantation of an aortic homograft at a Danish university hospital from 1997-2006. Staphylococcus species were the most common pathogens followed by streptococcus. Intravenous antibiotic therapy was started before surgery and continued for 4-6 weeks. The patients were followed-up for (1/2)-10 years (mean 5 years).
Results:
3 patients with prosthetic valve endocarditis died within the first 24 hours from heart failure. 2 of these patients required in addition implantation of mitral valve prostheses. 5 patients died 1-7 years after the operation from non-cardiac causes. Within the follow-up period no patients had relapse of endocarditis, and only one episode of recurrence endocarditis in an intravenous drug abuser was registered after 4 years.
Conclusion:
An aortic homograft in combination with intravenous antibiotics is an excellent treatment of severe endocarditis in the aortic valve or an aortic valve prosthesis.
