Repair of infected mitral valves: what have we learned?

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Cardiac Surgery
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Infective endocarditis (IE) presents significant mortality and morbidity risks.
• Approximately 50% of IE patients require surgical intervention.
• Mitral valve repair (MVrep) is preferred over replacement to avoid prosthesis implantation during active infection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and summarize surgical details of mitral valve repair (MVrep) for infective endocarditis (IE).
• To consolidate existing literature on MVrep in active IE from 2000 to 2016.
• To address the lack of definitive guidelines for this complex procedure.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of studies published between 2000 and 2016.
• Focus on articles detailing surgical techniques and outcomes of MVrep in active IE patients.
• Synthesis of reported surgical approaches and management strategies.

Main Results:

• MVrep in active IE is technically challenging.
• Various surgical techniques are employed, with specific details varying across studies.
• Outcomes and complication rates are influenced by surgical approach and patient factors.

Conclusions:

• Mitral valve repair for infective endocarditis is feasible but requires specialized surgical expertise.
• Further research and guideline development are needed to optimize MVrep outcomes in IE.
• Careful patient selection and tailored surgical strategies are crucial for successful MVrep in active IE.