[Short- and long-term prognosis of infective endocarditis in non-injection drug users: improved results over 15 years (1987-2001)].
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.
Anguita Sánchez
Manuel
M
Servicio de Cardiología, Hospital Reina Sofía, Córdoba, Spain. manuel.anguita.sspa@juntadeandalucia.es
Torres Calvo
Francisco
F
Castillo Domínguez
Juan C
JC
Delgado Ortega
Mónica
M
Mesa Rubio
Dolores
D
Ruiz Ortiz
Martín
M
Romo Peña
Elías
E
Arizón del Prado
José M
JM
Suárez de Lezo
José
J
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