Prosthetic valve endocarditis associated with paravalvular aortic and mitral abscesses

A 63-year-old female, who had undergone aortic and mitral valve replacement 16 years ago, was admitted because of urinary tract infection. The patient developed cerebral hemorrhage. Methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from her blood culture. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed paravalvular aortic and mitral abscesses, and the diagnosis of prosthetic valve endocarditis was established. A redo double valve replacement was performed. Both paravalvular abscess cavities were debrided and closed with fresh autologous pericardial patches, and mechanical valves were implanted. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful, and she had no sign of recurrent infection 3 years postoperatively.