Determinants of outcome in surgically treated patients with native valve endocarditis (NVE)

This is a multivariate analysis of patients treated with native valve endocarditis at Stanford University. The analysis indicates that the preoperative cardiovascular condition and other organ system functions are important determinants of postoperative outcome in conjunction with the pathology denoted at the time of operation, particularly annular abscess. These two negative factors suggest more intense scrutiny of patients preoperatively and a more aggressive approach to surgery before these two extremely adverse prognostic factors occur. Prevention of native valve endocarditis will also be a major key to overall improvement in the future for prophylaxis of dental hygiene and other minor surgery, particularly in patients with known valvular heart disease.