Early-onset prosthetic valve endocarditis definition revisited: Prospective study and literature review.

Objective: To determine the annual incidence of prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) and to evaluate its current classification based on the epidemiological distribution of agents identified and their sensitivity profiles.

Methods: Consecutive cases of PVE occurring within the first year of valve surgery during the period 1997-2014 were included in this prospective cohort study. Incidence, demographic, clinical, microbiological, and in-hospital mortality data of these PVE patients were recorded.