Surgery to remove infection in the heart tissue and valves
Endocarditis is an infection of the heart tissue that can cause serious complications, such as valve damage. If the infection is persistent or causes damage, your doctor may recommend surgery to repair or replace damaged valves in addition to the traditional antibiotic treatment.
Our structural heart and valvular disease program brings together surgeons, cardiologists, and imaging specialists to analyze and treat patients with complicated heart and valve conditions.
What to expect during infective endocarditis surgery
You will be admitted to the hospital, and an IV will be inserted in your hand or arm to provide fluids, medication and a sedative to help you relax. We’ll ask you to lie on your back on a procedure table. We may use imaging techniques such as X-ray and transesophageal echocardiogram to monitor you during the procedure.
Your doctor will surgically remove the infected heart tissue and evaluate the function of the heart valves. If a heart valve is not functioning normally, your doctor may recommend repairing or replacing it. Valves that may be affected by endocarditis include:
After surgery, your doctor likely will prescribe antibiotics to minimize the risk of recurring infection.
Conditions
Endocarditis
Endocarditis is an infection of the inner lining of the heart chambers or valves. It occurs when bacteria in the bloodstream attach to damaged areas of the heart.
Tests
Chest X-ray
Chest X-rays use a small dose of radiation to create pictures of the structures inside the chest, including the lungs, heart, and chest wall.
Computerized tomography (CT) scan
The cardiac computed tomography scan, or cardiac CT, uses X-rays to create three-dimensional images of your heart and blood vessels.
Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of your heart.
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
An electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG, measures the heart’s electrical activity.
Our providers
Location: Change location Enter your location
Cardiac Surgery
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Thelma Dianne Aguilar, AGACNP
Cardiac Surgery
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Ammar S Bafi, MD
Valvular Disease Cardiology, Structural Heart Disease Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery
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Keki Balsara, MD
Cardiac Surgery
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Cierra Bruck, PA-C
Cardiac Surgery
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Ashley Chenoweth, AGACNP-BC
Cardiac Surgery
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Jeffrey E. Cohen, MD
Cardiac Surgery
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John V Conte, MD
Cardiac Surgery
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Laura Lee Cramer-Joyce, ANP-BC
Cardiac Surgery
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Susan L. Davis, ACNP-BC
Cardiac Surgery
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Rachel E Harrison, MD
Cardiac Surgery
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Maria Gina Heyrana
Cardiac Surgery
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Jane Lashley, ACNP-BC
Thoracic Surgery & Cardiac Surgery
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Kathleen J. Lavery, ACNP-BC, MSN, APRN
Cardiac Surgery
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Nicole M Monte-Bovi, AGACNP-BC
Cardiac Surgery
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Christian Charles Shults, MD
Valvular Disease Cardiology, Structural Heart Disease Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery
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Elizabeth C. Sullivan, ANP-BC, CRNP
Cardiac Surgery
Show All Cardiac Surgery
Our locations
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MedStar Union Memorial Hospital
201 E. University Pkwy. Baltimore, MD 21218
MedStar Washington Hospital Center
110 Irving St. NW Washington, DC 20010
Ask MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute
Have general questions for our heart and vascular program? Email us at AskMHVI@medstar.net. If you have clinically-specific questions, please contact your physician’s office.