Background: Surgical intervention for persistent active native aortic valve endocarditis (NVE) remains challenging. We analyzed our combined experience with allografts and mechanical prostheses (MP) in NVE operations.
Methods: Between 1980 and 2002, 138 patients (81% males) underwent aortic valve replacement for NVE in 2 centers (106 allografts; 32 MPs). Perioperative characteristics and early and late morbidity and mortality were analyzed.
Results: Mean age was 47 years (range, 14 to 76 years), and 34% required emergency surgery. Abscess rate was 38% for allografts vs 18% for MPs. Concomitant mitral valve replacement was required in 38% MP patients and in 5% allograft patients. Hospital mortality was 8% (n = 11; p = 0.25): 10 allograft patients (9%) and 1 MP patient (3%). During a mean 8-year follow-up (range, 0 to 25 years) 33 patients died: 22 allograft (24%) and 11 MP patients (21%; p = 0.14). Survival at 15 years was 59% +/- 6% for allograft patients and 66% +/- 9% for MP patients (p = 0.68). Late recurrent endocarditis developed in 6 allograft patients and 1 MP patient (p = 0.29). Overall 15-year freedom from reoperation was 76% +/- 9% for allografts and 93% +/- 6% for MPs (p = 0.02).
Conclusions: Mechanical prostheses have comparable rates of midterm survival and freedom from recurrent infection. However, this is in combination with extensive excision of destructive tissue in a specific patient subset. Allograft reoperation rates increase with time. The importance of the mechanical prosthesis in NVE might be established in the coming years.