Long-Term Results After Operations for Active Infective Endocarditis in Native and Prosthetic Valves

Despite a high early mortality during the first year, surgical intervention for active infective endocarditis provided excellent results with regard to freedom from reinfection and reoperation. A strategy of extensive debridement, reconstruction of destroyed cardiac structures using xenopericardium, followed by valve replacement or repair is highly effective and shows favorable long-term outcomes.