Reoperation for prosthetic valve endocarditis in the third trimester of pregnancy.

A pregnant 29-year-old woman underwent emergency aortic valve re-replacement for prosthetic valve endocarditis. Cesarean section was performed with the chest open ready for cannulation. Fears of uterine hemorrhage during systemic heparinization for cardiopulmonary bypass were unfounded, and both mother and the 28-week-gestation newborn recovered uneventfully.