The Technique of Aortic Root Replacement - a Treatment for Endocarditis

Endocarditis is an inflammation of the inner layer of the heart, the endocardium, which usually involves the heart valves. Other structures, including the interventricular septum, the chordae tendineae, the mural endocardium, or the surfaces of intracardiac devices, may also be involved. The following video describes a case of 54 year old female patient with past medical history of intravenous drug abuse for 30 years. The patient was diagnosed with endocarditis involving the aortic valve. Despite antibiotic and antifungal therapy, vegetations were still present on the valve. In addition the patient had severe aortic insufficiency as well as left ventricular disfunction. Because of sepsis and heart failure, the patient underwent a sugery for aortic root replacement with a stentless valve. Presented by Arie Blitz, MD.