Bacterial infiltration and bioprosthetic valve failure: Emerging diagnostics for emerging therapies.

Kossar, Alexander P; George, Isaac; Gordon, Rachel; Ferrari, Giovanni · J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg · 2020

editorial · Level V

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Abstract

Despite the increasing use of bioprosthetic heart valves (BHV), the mechanisms underlying BHV failure remain elusive. It has been suggested that bacteria in explanted native valves from patients without clinical or laboratory evidence of infective endocarditis may contribute to structural valve degeneration (SVD). In this editorial we discuss the potential roles of infection and thrombosis in BHV SVD.

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