BACTERIAL ENDOCARDITIS IN IDIOPATHIC HYPERTROPHIC SUBAORTIC STENOSIS

Two patients with idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis and bacterial endocarditis have been described. In one patient infection followed denial extractions and in the other it followed cardiac catheterisation. A review of the literature shows thal bacterial endocarditis is not uncommon in hypertrophic subaortic stenosis occurring in about 6% of patients. The infecting organism is most frequently the streptococcus viridans and dental extractions are a common precipitating factor. The mitral valve may be more commonly involved than the aortic valve. Patients with hypertrophic subaortic stenosis require the same prophylactic care as patients with congenital and rheumatic heart disease, particularly in relation to operative procedures. © 1969 S. Karger AG, Basel.