Abstract:Objective To investigate the reoperation indication,surgical timing and the key point of surgical treatment of prosthetic valve endocarditis （PVE） after valve replacement. Methods From February 2000 to July 2005,18 patients with PVE underwent surgery ,their clinical manifestation ,process of treatment and their prognosis outcome were analyzed. Results There were 3 patients （16.7 %） of early-death, 1 patient died of septic shock, and 2 patients died of multiple organ failure. Since 2003,there was no operative death for all 11 patients. There were 6 patients with respiratory insufficiency, 2 patients with renal insufficiency,which were recovered after treatment. The 15 survivors were followed up from 1 month to 5years. There was recurrence of infection in 1 patient who died after ineffective medical treatment. The other 14 patients recovered well. Conclusion It has high risk and high mortality for reoperation for PVE. Accurate reoperative indication,optimal surgical timing,radical debridment of infected tissue and correct perioperative use of antibiotics are the key factors to improve the reoperative result for PVE.
