Valve repair is better than valve replacement in patients operated on for native mitral valve endocarditis

Background and Objectives In native mitral valve infective endocarditis (NMVIE), the respective values of mitral valve repair (MVR) and mitral valve replacement (MVRP) are still debated. We compared MVR and MVRP in a large prospective series of pts operated on for NMVIE in La Timone Hospital, Marseille. Methods Between 2010 and 2017, 151 pts with NMVIE underwent early ( Results As compared with MVR, MVRP pts had more associated aortic abscess (15 vs 4%, P = 0.03), and more restrictive lesions (28 vs 3%, P Conclusion Early MVR for NMVIE is associated with better outcome than MVRP, without excess reoperation rate, residual mitral regurgitation, or recurrence. In experienced hands, early MVR is technically feasible in 76% of NMVIE and should be the preferred option in these pts.