Infective endocarditis and complications; a single center experience

OBJECTIVES
The aim was to investigate the microbiological characteristics and complications of infective endocarditis (IE) in 119 patients treated in our center for IE, diagnosed by modified Duke criteria.

STUDY DESIGN
The archive records of 119 patients (82 [69%] males; 37 [31%] females; mean age 39±16 years) with a definite diagnosis of IE between January 1997 and November 2004 were systematically reviewed for clinical and microbiological properties and complications.

RESULTS
The most common complaint of the patients was fever and malaise (102 patients, 85.7%, each). Culture was negative in 68 patients (57.1%), while Staphylococcus aureus was the most common etiological agent in culture positive cases. The aortic valve was the most common region of vegetation (43 patients, 36.1%). The frequency of surgical operation for valvular insufficiency due to IE was 75.6%, and the frequency of congestive heart failure was 53.8% (64 patients).

CONCLUSION
IE is still an important disease considering its high morbidity and mortality rates, increased life expectancy of the patients, and increased number of valve replacement procedures.