Valve Dehiscence after Bentall Procedure: The Detrimental Traits of Propionibacterium

The present case exemplified the detrimental traits of prosthetic valve endocarditis caused by Propionibacterium acnes. As a baby, the patient had a congenital cardiac defect with truncus arteriosus type I with interrupted aortic arch and open ductus Botalli, and had undergone several operations. However, at 18 months after a Bentall procedure performed 29 years later he presented with major prosthetic dehiscence due to endocarditis. The patient underwent a high-risk reoperation for a re-do Bentall procedure and was treated postoperatively with intravenous antibiotics consisting of vancomycin for five weeks and penicillin and rifampicin each for six weeks. He was discharged from hospital in good clinical condition. In conclusion, P. acnes-mediated endocarditis of a prosthetic valve can be successfully treated with prompt surgery and antibiotic therapy.

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