Prosthetic valve endocarditis - A trouble or a challenge?
Prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) represents a rare and serious complication of valve replacement associated with high morbidity and mortality, which significantly differs from native valve endocarditis (NVE). There are two major problems: establishing diagnosis and treatment of PVE. Diagnosis in PVE is challenging and often requires several imaging methods besides standard microbiological analyzes. Transesophageal echocardiographic examination remains the widely used imaging technique in PVE diagnosis, but additional techniques such as computed tomography (CT) and 18F-fluodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT are often necessary. Persistent fever, embolic complications, valve dehiscence, intracardial abscess, heart failure, as well as staphylococcal and fungal PVE require surgical treatment to avoid lethal outcome. The introduction of transcatheter valve implantations and devices significantly complicated the approach - diagnostic and therapeutic to PVE patients. Despite constantly increasing knowledge regarding pathogenesis and treatment of PVE, the optimal therapy remains a matter of debate. Additional studies are necessary to define therapeutic strategies for this potentially fatal complication.
['Ivanovic|Branislava|B|', 'Trifunovic|Danijela|D|', 'Matic|Snezana|S|', 'Petrovic|Jelena|J|', 'Sacic|Dalila|D|', 'Tadic|Marijana|M|']
D000368:Aged D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal D004696:Endocarditis D005260:Female D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis D006801:Humans D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D000072078:Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Prosthetic valve Endocarditis Complications Diagnosis