Bacterial endocarditis of the aortic valve associated with diaphragmatic sub-aortic stenosis--account of two operated cases.

We report two cases of subvalvular aortic stenosis associated with a postendocarditic aortic valvular insufficiency. Although the aortic valvular disease had been diagnosed preoperatively, only the direct intraoperative observation and the histological examination of the removed valve revealed evidence of the endocarditis. Because of the seriously altered condition of the valvular tissue, treatment in both cases consisted of implantation of a mechanical prosthesis. Follow-up revealed no evidence of septic relapse.