Clinical characteristics, complications and mortality in 506 patients with infective endocarditis and determinants of survival rate at 10 years Endocarditis infecciosa: Características clínicas, complicaciones y mortalidad en 506 pacientes y factores pron

Abstract

Background: Rates of morbidity and mortality in Infective Endocarditis (IE) remain high and prognosis in this disease is still difficult and uncertain. Aim: To study IE in Chile in its active phase during inpatient hospital stay and long term survival rates. Material and Methods: Observational prospective national cohort study of 506 consecutive patients included between June 1, 1998 and July 31, 2008, from 37 Chilean hospitals (secondary and tertiary centers) nationwide. Results: The main findings were the presence of Rheumatic valve disease in 22.1% of patients, a history of intravenous drug abuse (IVDA) only in 0.7%, the presence of Staphylococcus aureus in 29.2% of blood cultures, negative blood cultures in 33.2%, heart failure in 51.7% and native valve involvement in 86% of patients. Echocardiographic diagnosis was achieved in 94% of patients. Hospital mortality was 26.1% and its prognostics factors were persisting infection (Odds ratio (OR) 6.43, Confidence Interval (CI) 1.45-28.