We describe 2 cases of mechanical aortic valve endocarditis and the influence on clinical outcome and prostheses material integrity. One patient required extensive reconstruction due to active endocarditis leading to a “rocking valve”. The second case was caused by late aortic dissection following endocarditis. Both valve prostheses showed remarkable material quality and performance in functional assessment and high resolution scanning electron microscopic evaluation after 27 and 23 years of service.
MetzEHartmannMvon BirgelenCHaalebosMMVerhorstPM. Major dehiscence of infected aortic valve prosthesis with “rocking motion” but without diastolic paravalvular regurgitation. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging2006; 22: 771–774.
2.
MusciMHüblerMAmiriASteinJKoskySMeyerR. Surgical treatment for active infective prosthetic valve endocarditis: 22-year single-centre experience. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg2010; 38: 528–538.
3.
LeontyevSBorgerMADavierwalaPWaltherTLehmannSMohrFW. Redo aortic valve surgery: early and late outcomes. Ann Thorac Surg2011; 27: 1120–1126.
4.
HoHHSiuCWYiuKHTseHFChuiWHChowWH. Prosthetic valve endocarditis in a multicenter registry of Chinese patients. Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann2010; 18: 430–434.
