Role and timing of cardiac surgery in the treatment of infective endocarditis [Ruolo e timing della chirurgia cardiaca nel trattamento dell'endocardite infettiva]

Infective endocarditis is a complex disease to treat. Despite considerable improvements in diagnostic and therapeutic management, mortality in infective endocarditis remains high. Recent data converge in giving a central role to surgery that, within a multidisciplinary approach and with earlier timing, primarily aims to eradicate the infection rather than to treat its acute or chronic complications. In this paper, we sought to review and comment on current available data and last recommendations for the management of patients with infective endocarditis. © 2014 Il Pensiero Scientifico Editore.