Impact of heart failure and preoperative platelet count on the postoperative short-term outcome in infective endocarditis patients

Pathogenic spectrum of infective endocarditis and analysis of prognostic risk factors following surgical treatment in a tertiary hospital in China

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to summarize the pathogenic spectrum of infective endocarditis (IE) and analyze the risk factors for poor prognosis in surgical patients in a tertiary hospital in China.

METHODS

We retrospectively included patients diagnosed with IE between January 2013 and January 2022. The pathogenic spectrum was summarized; the risk factors for early postoperative mortality and embolic events were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS

Among 630 patients who underwent blood cultures, the positivity rate was 56.83%. The most prevalent pathogens were viridans streptococci, Staphylococcus aureus, enterococci, and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS). The prevalence of viridans streptococci significantly increased in the surgically treated group, compared to the medically treated group (50.80% vs. 27.78%, P < 0.001), while that of CoNS decreased (5.60% vs. 12.04%, P = 0.034). There has been a declining trend in the blood culture positivity in recent years compared to earlier years (2018-2022 vs. 2013-2017 = 60.95% vs. 47.30%, P = 0.037), with an increasing trend in viridans streptococci and a decreasing trend in CoNS. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified male gender, coronary artery disease, platelet count < 100 × 109/L, albumin < 35 g/L, elevated creatinine, and prosthetic valve as independent risk factors for early postoperative mortality. Risk factors for embolic events included recent cerebral infarction within 3 months, history of peripheral vasculopathy, and hemoglobin (Hb) < 90 g/L.

CONCLUSIONS

Viridans streptococci predominates as the most common IE pathogen, with its incidence rising recently, especially among surgical patients. Blood culture positivity is decreasing. Understanding risk factors for early postoperative mortality and embolic events is crucial for optimizing patient management and prognosis.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER

Not applicable.

Non-linear relationship between platelet count and 28-day mortality in critically ill patients with infective endocarditis: a retrospective cohort study from MIMIC IV database

Background

The relationship between platelet count and 28-day mortality in critically ill patients with infective endocarditis (IE) is currently not well established.

Objective

This study aims to investigate the impact of platelet count on 28-day mortality in critically ill patients with infective endocarditis.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted involving 450 participants diagnosed with infective endocarditis and admitted to intensive care units (ICU). Vital signs, laboratory parameters and comorbidity were collected for all participants to analyze the association between platelet count and 28-day mortality. In order to assess the independent association between platelet count and 28-day mortality, we employed multivariable cox hazard regression analyses and smooth curve fitting. A further analysis was conducted using a two-piecewise linear regression model to examine the nonlinear association between platelet count and in-hospital mortality.

Results

A total of 450 critically ill patients with infective endocarditis were included in the study. The mean age was 57.4 years, and 64.2% were male. The overall 28-day mortality rate was 20%. A non-linear relationship was observed between platelet count and 28-day mortality. Two different slopes were identified, with correlations between platelet count and 28-day mortality in patients with IE differing significantly below and above the inflection point, which was approximately 141 K/µl. On the left side of the inflection point, the hazard ratio was 0.990 (hazard ratio: 0.990, 95% confidence interval: 0.982-0.997, p = 0.006). However, on the right side of the inflection point, the hazard ratio increased marginally to 1.0004 (HR: 1.0004, 95% CI: 0.997-1.004, p = 0.825). Notably, the association lacked statistical significance on the right side of the inflection point.

Conclusion

A nonlinear association between platelet count and 28-day mortality was observed in critically ill patients with infective endocarditis. The optimal platelet count associated with the lowest risk of 28-day mortality was above 141 k/µl.

Impact of heart failure and preoperative platelet count on the postoperative short-term outcome in infective endocarditis patients

BACKGROUND

Heart failure (HF) and platelet count are often considered risk factors for mortality in patients with infective endocarditis (IE); however, their effects on various complications have not been elucidated.

HYPOTHESIS

We speculated that HF and platelet count have significant impact on the short-term outcomes of IE.

METHODS

This single-center retrospective study analyzed data from 320 IE patients who underwent surgery. A multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify the risk factors for adverse outcomes. The effect of the platelet count on the prognosis of patients with HF was determined by subgroup analysis and Kaplan-Meier analysis.

RESULTS

The study population was divided into the HF group (n = 102) and the non-HF group (n = 218). The median age of the total population was 44.5 years (31-56 years), of which 227 (70.94%) patients were male. The incidence rates of 1-year all-cause mortality, cardiac outcomes, and composite outcomes were respectively almost sixfold, fourfold, and threefold higher in the HF group than in the non-HF group (all p < 0.001). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, HF was an independent risk factor for 1-year all-cause mortality, cardiac outcomes, cerebral outcomes, and composite outcomes. The Kaplan-Meier survival curves revealed that the patients with both HF and thrombocytopenia demonstrated the worst composite outcomes than the patients of the other groups (log-rank p < 0.001). In the HF group, the platelet count was significantly associated with mortality and composite outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

HF and preoperative platelet count are significantly associated with 1-year all-cause mortality and adverse outcomes postoperatively in IE patients. Patients with HF and thrombocytopenia have the worst short-term prognosis.