Anatomic and bacteriological study of surgically extracted valves in patients with bacterial endocarditis

We studied 64 cases of bacterial endocarditis which required heart surgery for hemodynamic defects and/or failure of the antibiotic therapy. We performed a bacteriologic and histologic investigation of the removed valves. The organisms were evidenced through culture and specific stainings. According to the different organisms we evaluated the best duration of antibiotic therapy to achieved sterilization, and suggest a helpful medical and surgical treatment for the bacterial endocarditis.