Journal Article

Early Surgery versus Conventional Treatment for Infective Endocarditis

Kang, Duk-Hyun, Song, Jong-Min, Yun, Sung-Cheol, Lee, Jae-Won, Song, Jae-Kwan, Sun, Byung Joo, Kim, Dae-Hee, Kim, Yong-Jin, Kim, Sung-Han, Chung, Cheol-Hyun, Choo, Suk Jung, Sohn, Dae-Won

2012

Overview

The timing of surgery in the context of acute endocarditis associated with valvular failure and large vegetations is controversial. In this randomized trial in South Korea, early surgery was associated with fewer clinically significant embolic events than conventional treatment. Despite advances in medical and surgical treatment, infective endocarditis remains a serious disease that carries a considerable risk of death and morbidity. 1 , 2 The role of surgery in the treatment of infective endocarditis has been expanding, and current guidelines advocate surgical management for complicated left-sided infective endocarditis. 2 , 3 Early surgery is strongly indicated for patients with infective endocarditis and congestive heart failure, 1 , 4 but the indications for surgical intervention to prevent systemic embolism remain to be defined. 5 Early identification of patients with large vegetations and a high risk of embolism, 6 increased experience with complete excision of infected tissue and valve . . .

• Publisher: Massachusetts Medical Society
• Subject: Adult / Biological and medical sciences / Cardiology. Vascular system / Death / Drug therapy / Embolism / Embolism - prevention & control / Endocardial and cardiac valvular diseases / Endocarditis / Endocarditis, Bacterial - mortality / Endocarditis, Bacterial - surgery / Female / General aspects / Heart / Hospital Mortality / Humans / Kaplan-Meier Estimate / Male / Medical sciences / Middle Aged / Mortality / Older people / Patients / Postoperative Complications / Prospective Studies / Secondary Prevention / Surgery / Time Factors / Vegetation