Aortic root replacement with a mechanical valve and prosthetic conduit for the complicated degeneration of the ascending aorta resulting from infective endocarditis.

A 28-year-old man with infective endocarditis of the aortic valve underwent a course of antibiotic therapy, but developed severe aortic root deformity requiring aortic root replacement with a mechanical composite valve conduit. Of note, this patient had undergone a previous aortic valve operation for bicuspid valve stenosis, and indurations and fragility of the aortic root caused by the preceding operation may have contributed to subsequent aortic root deformity during the course of infective endocarditis of the aortic valve. Over the 7-year follow-up period, the patient showed no signs of recurrent infection or new cardiac events. For younger patients with endocarditis, the use of a mechanical valve and prosthetic conduit with sufficient surgical debridement and appropriate antibiotic therapy appears to be a safe and effective treatment strategy.