title: [Short- and long-term prognosis of infective endocarditis in non-injection drug users: improved results over 15 years (1987-2001)].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The treatment of infective endocarditis has undergone significant change within the last few years. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical features and prognosis of infective endocarditis over both the short and long term in patients who are not intravenous drug users.
  
  
  METHODS
  We carried out a prospective study of 222 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with infective endocarditis between 1987 and June 2001 at two centers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Their mean age was 48 (19) years, with 145 (65%) being male. Overall, 154 (69%) had native valve endocarditis and 68 (31%) had prosthetic valve endocarditis. In 61 patients (27%), no predisposing heart disease was found. Staphylococci were the causal microorganisms in 37% of cases (81 patients), and streptococci, in 35% (78 patients). Some 48% of patients underwent surgery during the active disease phase. Overall, inpatient mortality was 17% (39 cases); a significant decrease had occurred in recent years, from 25% in 1989-1995 to 12% in 1996-2001 (P<.01). In addition, the percentage undergoing early elective surgery had increased between the two periods, from 22% to 32% (P<.05). During a follow-up of 60 (48) months, 15 patients (8%) needed late cardiac surgery and 18 (10% of the whole series) died. The 6-year survival rate was 72% overall, and 80% in those who survived the active disease phase.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Short- and long-term prognoses for patients with infective endocarditis appear to have improved over recent years at our hospitals.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital Reina Sofía, Córdoba, Spain. manuel.anguita.sspa@juntadeandalucia.es
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Anguita Sánchez
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Torres Calvo
authors.forename: Juan C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Castillo Domínguez
authors.forename: Mónica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Delgado Ortega
authors.forename: Dolores
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mesa Rubio
authors.forename: Martín
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ruiz Ortiz
authors.forename: Elías
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Romo Peña
authors.forename: José M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Arizón del Prado
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Suárez de Lezo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors