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
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Cardiac Surgery
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Thelma Dianne Aguilar, MSN NP
Cardiac Surgery, Cardiac Electrophysiology & Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology
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Brian Thomas Bethea, MD
Thoracic Surgery, General Surgery, Emergency General Surgery & Cardiac Surgery
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Crystal D. Cargill, FNPBC MS
Cardiac Surgery & Cardiovascular Disease
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Jeffrey E. Cohen, MD
Cardiac Surgery & Thoracic Surgery
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John V Conte, MD
Thoracic Surgery & Cardiac Surgery
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Khanh Tran Decareau, MD
Hospital Medicine & Cardiac Surgery
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Alexandra Marie Janney, FNP
Cardiac Surgery, Family Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease & Urgent Care
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Heyabe G Kidane, AGACNP-BC MSN
Cardiac Surgery & Critical Care Medicine
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Allison Jenna Krasnov, MSPAS PA
Cardiovascular Disease & Cardiac Surgery
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Jane Lashley, ACNP-BC BSN MS
Thoracic Surgery, Cardiac Surgery & Critical Care Medicine
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Stacey Elizabeth Miller, ANPBC MSN
Cardiac Surgery
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Alexander Nissen, MD
Cardiac Surgery
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Naomi Glenn Peterson, AGACNP DNP
Advanced Heart Failure And Transplant Cardiology, Kidney Transplant Surgery, Heart Failure And Transplantation Cardiology, Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery
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Adriana M. Rosario, MD
Cardiology, Cardiac Surgery & Advanced Heart Failure And Transplant Cardiology
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Jessica Smyth, MPAS PA
Cardiac Surgery
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Elizabeth C. Sullivan, ANPBC MSN
Cardiac Surgery
Show All Cardiac Surgery
Our locations
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MedStar Health Cardiac Surgery at MedStar Washington Hospital Center
110 Irving Street, NW First Floor Washington, DC 20010
202-877-3503
MedStar Health Cardiac Surgery at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital
3300 North Calvert Street Calvert Street Building Second Floor, Suite A Baltimore, MD 21218
410-554-6534
Insurance
MedStar Health accepts most major health insurance plans. If you are uncertain as to whether your individual health insurance plan is accepted at MedStar Health, please call your insurance company.