Is operative closure of a small ventricular septal defect required after an episode of infective endocarditis?

Abstract

IE The only analyses that permit meaningful comparisons of populations are published reports that provide patient-years of exposure. We have chosen not to include reports of adults only. The period of a study must be considered in these comparisons because before widespread use of echocardiography, particularly Doppler, the location of the defect, pressure gradients between left and right ventricles, and the presence of aortic valve disorders were more difficult to determine. The publications are presented in chronologic