Surgical Treatment of Infective Endocarditis, Complicated with Splenic Abscesses

Abstract

Infectious endocarditis (IE) represents an inflammation of the heart endothelium usually as a result of bacterial colonization after trauma. Splenic abscess is a rare and dangerous extracardiac manifestation of IE. An expert multidisciplinary collaboration is necessary for the diagnosis and treatment strategy of this high-risk and challenging disease. Valvuloplasty and splenectomy are the mainstay of radical treatment and offer excellent long-term results. We present two cases with infectious endocarditis, complicated with splenic abscesses, which were successfully operated in the Department of Cardiac Surgery.

Keywords

• infective endocarditis
• splenic abscess
• valvuloplasty
• splenectomy