Background : we reviewed 130 patients who underwent operation at our center for infective endocarditis between January 1994 and December 2004. Native valve endocarditis (NVE) was present in 106 patients, prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) in 24 patients.
Mean follow-up was 35 months (range 0 to 120 months).
Results : Operative mortality was 14% for NVE and 20% for PVE.
Streptococci and staphylococci were the most common pathogens.
Patients’ hemodynamic status at operation was the major determinant of operative mortality.
Overall survival rate was 74 % at 5 years, with increased age and pre-operative status as predominant risk factors for late mortality.
Overall freedom of reoperation and of recurrent endocarditis were 91,2% and 93,4% in the survivor population.
Conclusion : Surgery for infective endocarditis carries an acceptable mortality. Long-term survival is satisfactory. Pre-operative status is a major determinant for early and late outcome; earlier operation seems advisable in patients with rapidly progressive hemodynamic deterioration.