Outcomes and Prosthesis Choice for Active Aortic Valve Infective Endocarditis: Analysis of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database

This study summarized data regarding valve use in over 1l,000 pts in the STS database who underwent aortic valve replacement for active endocarditis.  Nearly 75% of pts had no prior cardiac surgery.  Prior cardiac surgery was associated with a higher risk of root replacement (29.9% vs 7.2%), a higher rate of complications (68% vs 61%), and a substantially higher rate of operative mortality (21.1% vs 9.8%, unadjusted).  The use of biological valves increased over time.