MEDICAL AND SURGICAL TREATMENT OF Q-FEVER ENDOCARDITIS

Abstract

In four out of six patients with Q-fever endocarditis the infected valve was replaced by a mechanical prosthesis: the two remaining patients were treated conservatively. All survived, although one died later from coronary occlusion. All previously reported patients have died as a result of damage to the valve caused by the infection. The diagnosis of Q fever endocarditis should be suspected in patients with unexplained aortic regurgitation, fever, or heart-failure. The disease can sometimes be controlled by medical means if it is diagnosed early, but when advanced is fatal unless surgical treatment is applied.