Partial mitral valve replacement for acute endocarditis

We present a case of acute endocarditis involving the posteromedial commiss ure and both leaflets of the mitral valve, including a vegetation on and pe rforation of the anterior leaflet, in a young man with active Crohn's disea se. Repair was performed using glutaraldehyde-treated bovine pericardium. C ompetence of the valve was achieved with no recurrence of endocarditis. Thi s case demonstrates that extensive destruction of both leaflets of the mitr al valve does not prohibit repair. (C) 2001 by The Society of Thoracic Surg eons.