Infective endocarditis of bovine pericardial patch in the aortic position in a patient with left ventricular assist...

A 53-year old woman, who had a history of left ventricular assist device implantation for acromegalic cardiomyopathy and aortic valve closure with bovine pericardial patch, was diagnosed with active endocarditis of aortic valve closure patch. The investigation revealed that infection was limited to the aortic valve closure patch; thus, redo aortic valve closure with a new bovine pericardial patch was performed. The postoperative course was uneventful and the infection was sufficiently controlled. Early surgical intervention is mandatory for a good result without spread of infection to the left ventricular assist device pump and formation of embolism.