Bioprosthetic Versus Mechanical Valve Replacement for Infective Endocarditis: Focus on Recurrence Rates

Late-Term Outcomes of Surgical Treatment of Infective Endocarditis

Background: This study aims to evaluate the long-term outcomes of surgical interventions in patients with infective endocarditis (IE) who underwent surgical treatment and to determine the treatment approach for new patients. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively examined the long-term results of patients who underwent surgical treatment for IE between 2007 and 2017. The evaluation included late-term outcomes of IE surgery, surgical procedures, complications, the postoperative period, and clinical findings. Results: The study included 20 patients (12 male, 8 female) with a mean age of 45.1 ± 17.25. The most common cardiac risk factors for endocarditis development were the presence of prosthetic valves and heart valve disease. In addition, non-cardiac risk factors included chronic renal failure, systemic lupus erythematosus, and pemphigus vulgaris. Preoperative and postoperative laboratory findings were compared with in terms of morbidity and mortality, revealing no significant differences. The most prevalent preoperative laboratory findings were anemia (100%), elevated CRP (100%), and leukocytosis (50%). Anemia persisted as the most common laboratory finding in the postoperative evaluation. Conclusion: Our study identified comorbid chronic medical conditions, neurological complications because of IE, postoperative impaired left ventricular function, and treatment strategies such as monotherapy as poor prognostic factors in patients who underwent surgical treatment for IE. The management of IE is observed to be complex in the presence of comorbidities and complications, adversely affecting both survival and quality of life.

Native Aortic Valve Endocarditis Caused by Scopulariopsis Species: Case Report, Considerations for Management, and Review of Literature

We present the first case of native aortic valve endocarditis caused by Scopulariopsis. Intraoperative images and videos from valve replacement surgery illustrate the severity of fungal endocarditis. This case demonstrates the aggressive presentation of left-sided fungal endocarditis, highlights challenges with treating highly resistant fungi, and considers the potential utility of olorofim.

Survival and Recurrence of Endocarditis following Mechanical vs. Biological Aortic Valve Replacement for Endocarditis in Patients Aged 40 to 65 Years: Data from the INFECT-Registry

BACKGROUND

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a serious disease, and in many cases, surgery is necessary. Whether the type of prosthesis implanted for aortic valve replacement (AVR) for IE impacts patient survival is a matter of debate. The aim of the present study is to quantify differences in long-term survival and recurrence of endocarditis AVR for IE according to prosthesis type among patients aged 40 to 65 years.

METHODS

This was an analysis of the INFECT-REGISTRY. Trends in proportion to the use of mechanical prostheses versus biological ones over time were tested by applying the sieve bootstrapped t-test. Confounders were adjusted using the optimal full-matching propensity score. The difference in overall survival was compared using the Cox model, whereas the differences in recurrence of endocarditis were evaluated using the Gray test.

RESULTS

Overall, 4365 patients were diagnosed and operated on for IE from 2000 to 2021. Of these, 549, aged between 40 and 65 years, underwent AVR. A total of 268 (48.8%) received mechanical prostheses, and 281 (51.2%) received biological ones. A significant trend in the reduction of implantation of mechanical vs. biological prostheses was observed during the study period (p < 0.0001). Long-term survival was significantly higher among patients receiving a mechanical prosthesis than those receiving a biological prosthesis (hazard ratio [HR] 0.546, 95% CI: 0.322-0.926, p = 0.025). Mechanical prostheses were associated with significantly less recurrent endocarditis after AVR than biological prostheses (HR 0.268, 95%CI: 0.077-0.933, p = 0.039).

CONCLUSIONS

The present analysis of the INFECT-REGISTRY shows increased survival and reduced recurrence of endocarditis after a mechanical aortic valve prosthesis implant for IE in middle-aged patients.

A Literature Review on the Use of Aortic Allografts in Modern Cardiac Surgery for the Treatment of Infective Endocarditis: Is There Clear Evidence or Is It Merely a Perception?

Infective valve endocarditis is caused by different pathogens and 60% of those involve the aortic valve with valve failure. Although S. aureus is recognized as the most frequently isolated causative bacterium associated with IE in high-income countries, Gram-positive cocci nevertheless play a crucial role in promoting infection in relation to their adhesive matrix molecules. The presence of pili on the surface of Gram-positive bacteria such as in different strains of Enterococcus faecalis and Streptococcus spp., grants these causative pathogens a great offensive capacity due to the formation of biofilms and resistance to antibiotics. The indications and timing of surgery in endocarditis are debated as well as the choice of the ideal valve substitute to replace the diseased valve(s) when repair is not possible. We reviewed the literature and elaborated a systematic approach to endocarditis management based on clinical, microbiological, and anatomopathological variables known to affect postoperative outcomes with the aim to stratify the patients and orient decision making. From this review emerges significant findings on the risk of infection in the allograft used in patients with endocarditis and no endocarditis etiology suggesting that the use of allografts has proved safety and effectiveness in patients with both pathologies.

Does Quality of Life in Survivors of Surgery for Acute Left-Sided Infective Endocarditis Differ from Non-Endocarditis Patients?

Surgery for left-sided infective endocarditis (IE) has been demonstrated to improve patients' survival rates but information about quality of life (QoL) after surgery is scarce. The aim of this study was to assess the postoperative outcomes and QoL after surgery for IE patients compared to patients undergoing cardiac surgery for non-IE indications. Adult patients with definite acute left-sided IE were matched 1:1 to patients who underwent cardiac surgery for non-endocarditic purposes from 2014 to 2019. QoL was assessed using the SF-36 survey at the last follow-up. A total of 105 patients were matched. The IE group had higher rates of preoperative stroke (21% vs. 7.6%, p = 0.005) and higher stages of NYHA class (p < 0.001), EuroSCORE II (12.3 vs. 3.0, p < 0.001) and blood cell count abnormalities (p < 0.001). The IE group had higher incidence of low cardiac output syndrome (13.3% vs. 4.8%, p = 0.029), dialysis (10.5% vs 1.0%, p = 0.007) and prolonged mechanical ventilation (16.2% vs. 2.9%, p = 0.002) after surgery. At the last follow-up, subcomponents of the SF-36 QoL survey were not different between the groups. Patients who underwent cardiac surgery for IE demonstrated a higher risk profile with a higher rate of postoperative complications. Once recovered from the acute phase of the disease, the reported QoL at follow-up was comparable to that of matched cardiac patients operated for non-IE purposes.

Aortic allograft infection risk

OBJECTIVE

Intrinsic risk of infection of cryopreserved allograft aortic root replacements remains poorly understood despite their long history of use. The objective of this study was to determine this intrinsic risk of allograft infection and its risk factors when allografts are implanted for both nonendocarditis indications and infective endocarditis.

METHODS

From January 1987 to January 2017, 2042 patients received 2110 allograft aortic valves at a quaternary medical center, 1124 (53%) for nonendocarditis indications and 986 (47%) for endocarditis indications (670 [68%] prosthetic valve endocarditis). Staphylococcus aureus caused 193 of 949 cases of endocarditis (20%), 71 (7.3%) in persons who injected drugs. Periodic surveillance and cross-sectional follow-up achieved 85% of possible follow-up time. The primary end point was allograft infection in patients with nonendocarditis and endocarditis indications. Risk factors were identified by hazard function decomposition and machine learning.

RESULTS

During follow-up, 30 allografts (26 explanted) became infected in patients in the nonendocarditis group and 49 (41 explanted) in patients with endocarditis. At 20 years, the probability of allograft infection was 5.6% in patients in the nonendocarditis group and 14% in patients with endocarditis. Risk factors for allograft infection in patients in the nonendocarditis group were younger patient age and older donor age. Risk factors for allograft infection in patients with endocarditis were earlier implant year, injection drug use, and younger age. In patients with endocarditis, 18% of allograft infections were caused by the original organism.

CONCLUSIONS

The low infection rates, both in patients without and with endocarditis, support continued use of allografts in the modern era, in particular for the treatment of invasive endocarditis of the aortic root.

Acute mitral valve regurgitation secondary to papillary muscle rupture due to infective endocarditis

BACKGROUND

Papillary muscle rupture due to infective endocarditis is a rare event and proper management of this condition has not been described in the literature. Our case aims to shed light on treatment strategies for these patients using the current guidelines.

CASE PRESENTATION

This case presents a 58-year-old male with acute heart failure secondary to papillary muscle rupture. He underwent an en bloc resection of his mitral valve with a bioprosthetic valve replacement. Specimen pathology later showed necrotic papillary muscle due to infective endocarditis. The patient was further treated with antibiotic therapy. He recovered well post-operatively and continued to do well after discharge.

CONCLUSION

In patients who present with papillary muscle rupture secondary to infective endocarditis, clinical symptoms should drive the treatment strategy. Despite the etiology, early mitral valve surgery remains treatment of choice for patients who have papillary muscle rupture leading to acute heart failure. Culture-guided prolonged antibiotic treatment is vital in this category of patients, especially those who have a prosthetic valve implanted.

Infective Endocarditis Involving a Bioprosthesis in the Aortic Valve Position with Operative Excision

Described herein are findings in 15 infected bioprostheses that had been in place from 5 to 120 months (mean 42). The major purpose was to show multiple photographs of the operatively-excised bioprostheses to illustrate the variable causes prompting excision of the bioprostheses. Eleven patients survived ≥ 30 days following the bioprosthetic excision and 9 patients lived longer than 1 year postoperatively. The techniques to explant the infected bioprosthesis appears to vary a bit among the operating surgeons.

Dealing with the epidemic of endocarditis in people who inject drugs

North America is facing an opioid epidemic and growing illicit drug supply, contributing to growing numbers of injection drug use-related infective endocarditis (IDU-IE). Patients with IDU-IE have high early and late mortality. Patients with IDU-IE more commonly present with right-sided IE compared to those with non-IDU-IE and a majority are a result of S. aureus. While most patients can be successfully managed with intravenous antibiotic treatment, surgery is often required in part related to high relapse rates, potential treatment biases, and more aggressive pathophysiology in some. Multidisciplinary management as endocarditis teams, including not only cardiologists and cardiac surgeons but also infectious disease specialists, drug addiction experts, social workers, neurologists and/or neurosurgeons, is essential to best manage substance use disorder and facilitate safe discharge to home and society. Structural and population-level interventions, such as harm reduction programs, are necessary to reduce IDU-IE relapse rates in the community and other IDU-related health concerns such as overdoses. In this review, we describe the pathophysiological, clinical, surgical, social, and ethical characteristics of IDU-IE and the management thereof. We present the most recent clinical guidelines for this condition and discuss existing gaps in knowledge to guide future research, practice changes, and policy interventions.

Mechanical or biologic prostheses for mitral valve replacement: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Either a mechanical or bioprosthetic valve is used in patients undergoing mitral valve replacement (MVR). However, the optimal mitral prosthesis remains controversial. The aim of this meta‐analysis was thus to compare outcomes between mechanical mitral valve replacement (MVRm) and bioprosthetic mitral valve replacement (MVRb) for MVR patients. We searched Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases from January 1, 2000 to October 31, 2021 for studies that directly compared surgical outcomes of MVRm and MVRb. A total of 22 studies with 35 903 patients were included in the meta‐analysis (n = 23 868 MVRm and n = 12 035 MVRb). The MVRm group displayed lower long‐term all causes mortality (HR, 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.77−0.91; p < .0001; I² = 51%), and fewer mitral reoperation (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.34; 95% CI: 0.23−0.50; p < .00001; I² = 74%) than MVRb group. However, the MVRm group was associated with a greater risk of major bleeding events (HR: 1.21; 95% CI: 1.14−1.29; p < .00001; I² = 0%), stroke and systemic embolism (HR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.10−1.32; p < .0001; I² = 0%) in matched or adjusted data. No significant difference was observed between MVRm and MVRb on operative mortality in matched/adjusted group (risk ratios: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.66−1.05; p = .12; I² = 0%). The results were consistent with patients aged under 70 years old. Patients who received a MVRm is associated with 16% lower risk of long‐term mortality and 66% lower risk of mitral reoperation, but 20% greater risk of stroke or systemic embolism, 21% greater risk of major bleeding compared with MVRb in matched/adjusted studies group, which were consistent to patients younger than the age of 70 years who underwent MVR.

Long-term outcomes of mechanical versus biological valve prosthesis in native mitral valve infective endocarditis

Objectives. To study the long-term outcomes of mitral valve replacement with mechanical or biological valve prostheses in native mitral valve infective endocarditis patients. Desing. We conducted a retrospective, nationwide, multicenter cohort study with patients aged ≤70 years who were treated with mitral valve replacement for native mitral valve infective endocarditis in Finland between 2004 and 2017. Results. The endpoints were all-cause mortality, ischemic stroke, major bleeding, and mitral valve reoperations. The results were adjusted for baseline features (age, gender, comorbidities, history of drug abuse, concomitant surgeries, operational urgency, and surgical center). The median follow-up time was 6.1 years. The 12-year cumulative mortality rates were 36% for mechanical prostheses and 74% for biological prostheses (adj. HR 0.40; CI: 0.17-0.91; p = 0.03). At follow-up, the ischemic stroke had occurred in 19% of patients with mechanical prosthesis and 33% of those with a biological prosthesis (adj. p = 0.52). The major bleeding rates within the 12-year follow-up period were 30% for mechanical prosthesis and 13% for a biological prosthesis (adj. p = 0.29). The mitral valve reoperation rates were 13% for mechanical prosthesis and 12% for a biological prosthesis (adj. p = 0.50). Drug abuse history did not have a significant modifying impact on the results (interaction p = 0.51 for mortality and ≥0.13 for secondary outcomes). Conclusion. The use of mechanical mitral valve prosthesis is associated with lower long-term mortality compared to the biological prosthesis in non-elder native mitral valve infective endocarditis patients. The routine choice of biological mitral valve prostheses for this patient group is not supported by the results.

Diagnosis and Management of Infective Endocarditis in People Who Inject Drugs: JACC State-of-the-Art Review

The incidence of injection drug use-associated infective endocarditis has been increasing rapidly over the last decade. Patients with drug use-associated infective endocarditis present an increasingly common clinical challenge with poor long-term outcomes and high reinfection and readmission rates. Their care raises issues unique to this population, including antibiotic selection and administration, indications for and ethical issues surrounding surgical intervention, and importantly management of the underlying substance use disorder to minimize the risk of reinfection. Successful treatment of these patients requires a broad understanding of these concerns. A multidisciplinary, collaborative approach providing a holistic approach to treating both the acute infection along with effectively addressing substance use disorder is needed to improve short-term and longer-term outcomes.

Infective Endocarditis: Still More Challenges Than Convictions

After fourteen decades of medical and technological evolution, infective endocarditis continues to challenge physicians in its daily diagnosis and management. Its increasing incidence, demographic shifts (affecting older patients), microbiology with higher rates of Staphylococcus infection, still frequent serious complications and substantial mortality make endocarditis a very complex disease. Despite this, innovations in the diagnosis, involving microbiology and imaging, and improvements in intensive care and cardiac surgical techniques, materials and timing can impact the prognosis of this disease. Ongoing challenges persist, including rethinking prophylaxis, improving the diagnosis criteria comprising blood culture-negative endocarditis and prosthetic valve endocarditis, timing of surgical intervention, and whether to perform surgery in the presence of ischemic stroke or in intravenous drug users. A combined strategy on infective endocarditis is crucial, involving advanced clinical decisions and protocols, a multidisciplinary approach, national healthcare organization and health policies to achieve better results for our patients.

Long-Term Outcome of Mechanical and Biological Prostheses in Patients with Left-Side Infective Endocarditis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background. Long-term outcomes of patients with infective endocarditis (IE) who received either a mechanical (MP) or biological prosthesis (BP) are conflicting. A meta-analysis of observational studies comparing the long-term outcomes of left-side IE with the use of MP versus BP was performed. Methods. Electronic databases from January 2000 to June 2021 were screened. Studies reporting long-term mortality were analyzed. The primary endpoint was long-term overall mortality. Secondary endpoints were in-hospital/.30-day mortality and freedom from both prosthesis reinfection and reintervention. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated for survival according to the random effect model. Results. Thirteen retrospective observational studies reporting on 8645 patients (MP: 4688; BP: 4137) were included for comparison. Twelve studies reported data of long-term survival for a total of 8285 patients (MP: 4517; BP: 3768). The pooled analysis revealed that the use of MP was statistically associated with longer benefits compared to BP (HR 0.74; 95% CI 0.63–0.86; p < 0.0001). The median follow-up time ranged from 1 to 15.3 years. The pooled analysis of five studies reporting data on prosthesis reinfection in 4491 patients (MP: 2433; BP: 2058) did not reveal significant differences (HR 0.60; 95% CI 0.30–1.21; p = 0.15). Five studies reported data on prosthesis reintervention in 4401 patients (MP: 2307; BP: 2094). The meta-analysis revealed a significant difference in favor of MP (HR 0.40; 95% CI 0.29–0.55; p < 0.0001). Meta-regression reported no effect of male gender (p = 0.09) and age (p = 0.77) on long-term survival. Conclusions. In a meta-analysis of retrospective observational studies comparing the long-term outcome of patients who underwent surgery for left-sided IE, the use of MP compared to BP is associated with a significant longer-term survival and with a reduced incidence of late reoperation. The incidence of late reinfection is comparable between the two prostheses.

Infective endocarditis and outcomes of mitral valve replacement

BACKGROUND

We investigated the long-term outcomes of mitral valve replacement (MVR) in native mitral valve infective endocarditis (IE).

METHODS

Multicentre, population-based cohort register study consisted of 1233 consecutive adult patients treated with first-time MVR in Finland. Mitral valve IE was diagnosed in 170 of these patients. Propensity score matching resulted in 134 pairs with balanced baseline characteristics. The median follow-up was 6.1 years.

RESULTS

Pre-operative native mitral valve IE was associated with an increased hazard of 10-year mortality (38.8% vs 30.5%; HR 2.13; CI 1.17-3.85; P = .013) after MVR. Occurrence of major bleeding was higher in IE patients (26.0%) vs non-IE patients (23.4%) during the 10-year follow-up (HR 2.80; CI 1.01-7.77; P = .048). Hospital admission duration after MVR was longer in IE patients (median 28 vs 11 days; P < .0001). Cumulative ischaemic stroke rate was similar between patient groups (12.1% in IE vs 15.1% in non-IE; P = .493). Re-sternotomy was performed in 13.4% of IE patients and 9.0% of non-IE patients (P = .261).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with native mitral valve IE have a higher risk of death and major bleeding after MVR than matched patients without IE. Results highlight the importance of complication prevention in these patients.

The Ross procedure is a safe and durable option in adults with infective endocarditis: a multicentre study

OBJECTIVES

Surgical treatment of infective endocarditis (IE) remains a challenge. The Ross procedure offers the benefit of a living substitute in the aortic position but it is a more complex operation which may lead to increased operative risk. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and late outcomes of the Ross procedure for the treatment of active IE.

METHODS

From 2000 to 2019, a total of 31 consecutive patients underwent a Ross procedure to treat active IE (mean age 43 ± 12 years, 84% male). All patients were followed up prospectively. Four patients (13%) were intravenous (IV) drug users and 6 patients (19%) had prosthetic IE. The most common infective organism was Streptococcus (58%). Median follow-up was 3.5 (0.9-4.5) years and 100% complete.

RESULTS

There were no in-hospital deaths. One patient suffered a postoperative stroke (3%) and 1 patient (3%) required reintervention for bleeding. Three patients had a new occurrence endocarditis: 2 patients were limited to the pulmonary homograft and successfully managed with IV antibiotics, whereas 1 IV drug user patient developed concomitant autograft and homograft endocarditis. Overall, cumulative incidence of IE recurrence was 13 ± 8% at 8 years. The cumulative incidence for autograft endocarditis was 5 ± 4% at 8 years. Two patients (6%) died during follow-up, both from drug overdoses. At 8 years, actuarial survival was 88 ± 8%.

CONCLUSIONS

In selected patients with IE, the Ross procedure is a safe and reasonable alternative with good mid-term outcomes. Freedom from recurrent infection on the pulmonary autograft is excellent, labelporting the notion that a living valve in the aortic position provides good resistance to infection. Nevertheless, in IV drug user patients, pulmonary homograft endocarditis remains a challenge. Continued follow-up is needed to ascertain the long-term benefits of this approach.

Surgical aortic valve replacement and infective endocarditis

BACKGROUND

We wanted to investigate the influence of native-valve infective endocarditis (IE) on long-term outcomes of surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR).

METHODS

Native-valve patients with IE (n = 191) were compared to propensity score-matched patients without IE (n = 191), all treated with SAVR, in a multicentre, population-based cohort register study in Finland. The median follow-up was 6.2 years.

RESULTS

Infective endocarditis as the indication for SAVR was associated with an increased hazard of 10-year mortality (37.1% vs 24.2%; HR 1.83; CI 1.03-3.26; P = .039). Ischaemic stroke was also more frequent in IE patients during 10-year follow-up (15.8% vs 7.5%; HR 3.80; CI 1.42-10.18; P = .008). Major bleeding within first year after SAVR was more frequent in patients with IE (7.0% vs 2.9%; P = .038). Ten-year major bleeding rate was 32.4% in IE vs 24.5% in non-IE groups (P = .174). Aortic valve re-operation rate was 4.3% in IE vs 8.4% in non-IE groups (P = .975). Admission duration after SAVR was longer in IE (median 29 vs 9 days; P < .0001). There was no difference in 30-day mortality after SAVR.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with native-valve IE have a higher risk of death, ischaemic stroke, and early major bleeding after SAVR than matched patients without IE. Results confirm the high risk for complications of IE patients after SAVR and highlight the importance of vigorous prevention of both stroke and bleeding after SAVR in these patients.

Can prosthesis type influence the recurrence of infective endocarditis after surgery for native valve endocarditis? A propensity weighted comparison

OBJECTIVES

Our goal was to investigate whether the incidence of valve-related adverse events might be different depending on the valve substitute after valve replacement for left-sided native valve endocarditis.

METHODS

We assessed the long-term freedom from recurrence, reoperation and survival of 395 patients who had valve replacements for native valve endocarditis (314 mechanical vs 81 biological). Age <18 years, reoperation, prosthetic endocarditis, right valve involvement, valve repair and homograft implants were the main exclusion criteria. The balance between the 2 groups was addressed by weighting the results on the inverse of the propensity score.

RESULTS

After inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW), freedom from recurrence of infective endocarditis was not significantly different (mechanical 84.1 ± 3.2% vs 50.6 ± 21.7%; P = 0.29) nor was freedom from reoperation different (mechanical 85.7 ± 3.1% vs biological 50.9 ± 21.9%; P = 0.29). Excluding competing deaths, patients receiving a bioprosthesis had a similar subdistribution hazard of the above end points compared to recipients of a mechanical valve [recurrence IPTW: hazard ratio (HR) 1.631, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.756-3.516; P = 0.21; reoperation IPTW-HR 1.737, 95% CI 0.780-3.870; P = 0.18]. Mechanical valves were associated with improved long-term survival (34.9 ± 5.8% vs 10.5 ± 7.4% at 30 years; P = 0.0009; in particular: aortic valve subgroup 41.6 ± 9.3% vs 10.1 ± 8.2%; P < 0.0001), although the hazard of cardiovascular mortality did not favour either valve type (IPTW: HR 1.361, 95% CI 0.771-2.404; P = 0.29).

CONCLUSIONS

Our analysis showed a clinical trend in favour of mechanical valves as valve substitutes for native valve endocarditis, especially in the aortic position. In view of long-term freedom from adverse events, the choice of the valve type should be tailored according to patient characteristics and specific clinical conditions.

Surgical treatment of infective endocarditis in intravenous drug abusers

Background

Despite current progress in antibiotic therapy and medical management, infective endocarditis remains a serious condition presenting with high mortality rates. It also is a life-threatening complication in patients with a history of chronic intravenous drug abuse. In this study, we analyzed our institutional experience on the surgical therapy of infective endocarditis in patients with active intravenous drug abuse. The aim of the study is to identify the predictive factors of mortality and morbidity in this subgroup of patients.

Methods

Between 2007 and 2020, a total of 24 patients (7 female, mean age 38.5 ± 8.7) presenting with active intravenous drug abuse underwent a surgical treatment for the infective endocarditis at out center. The primary endpoint was survival at 30th day after the surgery. The secondary composite endpoint included freedom from death, recurrent endocarditis, re-do surgery, and postoperative stroke during the follow-up period. Mean follow-up was 4.2 ± 4.3 years.

Results

Staphylococcus species was the most common pathogen detected in the preoperative blood cultures. Infection caused by Enterococcus species as well as liver function impairment were identified as mortality predictor factors. Logistic EuroSCORE and EusoSCORE-II were also predictive factors for mortality in univariate analysis. Survival at 1 and 3 years was 78 and 72% respectively. Thirty-day survival was 88%. 30-day freedom from combined endpoint was 83% and after 1 and 3 years, 69 and 58% of the patients respectively were free from combined endpoint. Five patients (20.8%) were readmitted with recurrent infective endocarditis.

Conclusion

In patients presenting with active intravenous drug abuse, treatment of infective endocarditis should be performed as aggressively as possible and should be followed by antibiotic therapy to avoid high mortality rates and recurrent endocarditis. Early intervention is advisable in patients with an infective endocarditis and enterococcus species in the preoperative blood cultures, liver function deterioration as well as cardiac function impairment. Attention should be also payed to addiction treatment, due to the elevated relapse rate in patients who actively inject drugs. However, larger prospective studies are necessary to support our results. As septic shock is the most frequent cause of death, new treatment options, e.g. blood purification should be evaluated.

Comparative Surgical Outcomes of Prosthetic and Native Valve Endocarditis

In the present study, the patterns and clinical outcomes of prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) surgery were analyzed as compared with native valve endocarditis (NVE). The proportion of PVE among surgical infective endocarditis increased gradually through the study period. Patients with PVE was characterized by old age and more extensive infective lesions. PVE group showed notably higher early and overall mortality, and valve reinfection as well. PVE carried significant perioperative risks, and was an independent risk factor of overall mortality.

Background and Objectives

As a consequence of a growing number of patients undergoing prosthetic heart valve replacement, the incidence of prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) has increased. The study aims to analyze patterns and outcomes of PVE surgery as compared with native valve endocarditis (NVE).

Methods

We enrolled 269 patients (aged 58.0±15.7 years) who underwent valve surgery for infective endocarditis (IE) between 2013 and 2019. Of these, 56 had PVE whereas remainder (n=213) had NVE. Clinical outcomes were compared and multivariable analyses were conducted to determine risk factors for mortality.

Results

The proportion of PVE among surgical IE gradually increased from 15.4% (11/71) in the first time-quartile to 29.5% (18/61) in the last time-quartile (p=0.055). PVE patients were older, and more commonly had aorto-mitral curtain involvement and abscess formation than NVE group. Early mortality was 14.3% and 6.1% in PVE and NVE group, respectively (p=0.049). Postoperatively, PVE group had higher incidences of low cardiac output syndrome (p=0.027), new-onset dialysis (p=0.006) and reoperation for bleeding (p=0.004) compared to NVE group, but stroke rates were comparable (p=0.503). During follow-up (648.8 patient-years), PVE group showed significantly higher risks of overall mortality (p<0.001), valve reinfection (p<0.001) and permanent pacemaker implantation (p<0.001) than NVE group. On multivariable analysis, PVE (hazard ratio, 2.67; 95% confidence interval, 1.40–5.07; p=0.003) along with age, chronic kidney disease, multi-valve involvement, and causative organisms of Staphylococcus aureus or fungus were independent risk factors of overall mortality.

Conclusions

PVE carried significant perioperative risks, and was an independent risk factor of overall mortality.

Stentless Root Replacement versus Tissue Valves in Infective Endocarditis - A Propensity-Score Matched Study

Introduction

People with aortic/prosthetic valve endocarditis are a high-risk cohort of patients who present a challenge for all medically involved disciplines and who can be treated by various surgical techniques.

Methods

We analyzed the results of treatment of root endocarditis with Medtronic Freestyle® in full-root technique over 19 years (1999-2018) and compared them against treatment with other tissue valves. Comparison was made with propensity score matching, using the nearest neighbor method. Various tests were performed as suited for adequate analyses.

Results

Fifty-four patients in the Medtronic Freestyle group (FS group) were matched against 54 complex root endocarditis patients treated with other tissue valves (Tissue group). Hospital mortality was 9/54 (16.7%) in the FS group vs. 14/54 (25.6%) in the Tissue group (P=0.24). Cox regression performed for early results demonstrated coronary heart disease (P=0.004, odds ratio 2.3), among others, influencing early mortality. Recurrent infection was low (1.8% for FS and Tissue patients) and freedom from reoperation was 97.2% at a total of 367 patient-years of follow-up (median of 2.7 years).

Conclusion

The stentless xenograft is a viable alternative for treatment of valve/root/prosthetic endocarditis, demonstrating a low rate of reinfection. The design of the bioroot allows for complex reconstructive procedures at the outflow tract and the annular level with at an acceptable operative risk. Endocarditis patients can be treated excluding infective tissue from the bloodstream, possibly with benefits, concerning bacteremia and recurrent infection. Furthermore, the use of the stentless bioroot offers varying treatment options in case of future valve degeneration.

Bioprosthetic vs mechanical mitral valve replacement for infective endocarditis in patients aged 50 to 69 years

Background

The optimal choice of the valve prosthesis in mitral valve replacement (MVR) for infective endocarditis (IE) is controversial and challenging, particularly for younger patients.

Hypothesis

The postoperative outcomes of mechanical and biological MVR in IE patients aged 50 to 69 years are different.

Methods

All IE patients aged 50 to 69 years with primary MVR in Hubei province hospitals from 2002 to 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. The median duration of follow‐up was 8.7 years (IQR, 6.8‐10.9 years). Propensity score matching (1:3 ratio) was used to yield 492 patients with comparable baseline features between bioprostheses and mechanical prosthetic valve groups. Outcomes were postoperative mid‐ to long‐ term survival, mitral valve reoperation, prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE), stroke, and major bleeding events.

Results

Fifteen‐year survival after MVR was 80.6% in the mechanical valve group and 69.3% in the bioprostheses group (HR 0.545, P = .040). The cumulative incidence of mitral valve reoperation was 8.8% with mechanical valves and 21.4% with bioprostheses (HR 0.260, P = .002). The cumulative incidence of PVE was 5.6% with mechanical valves and 7.2% with bioprostheses (HR 0.629, P = .435). The cumulative incidence of stroke was 12.9% with mechanical valves and 10.5% with bioprostheses (HR 1.217, P = .647). The cumulative incidence of major bleeding was 12.0% with mechanical valves and 6.75% with bioprostheses (HR 1.579, P = .268).

Conclusions

Mechanical valve prostheses were associated with better survival, lower rates of reoperation compared with bioprostheses within 15 years after MVR in IE patients aged 50 to 69. These findings suggest mechanical valve prostheses may be a more reasonable alternative to bioprostheses in this patient group.

Recurrent infective endocarditis versus first-time infective endocarditis after heart valve surgery

OBJECTIVE

Infective endocarditis (IE) may require heart valve surgery. It is well known that heart valve surgery itself and previous IE predispose to IE. However, data are sparse on whether the risk of IE is different among patients undergoing valve surgery due to IE and other causes (i.e. recurrent vs. first-time IE).

METHODS

Using Danish nationwide registries, patients undergoing left-sided heart valve surgery in the course of an IE hospitalization (1996-2017) were identified and matched with controls undergoing left-sided heart valve surgery due to another cause than IE in a 1:1 ratio. Patients were stratified according to type of surgical valve intervention and affected valve. The comparative risk of recurrent vs. first-time IE was assessed by cumulative incidence curves and multivariable Cox regression analyses.

RESULTS

The study population comprised 971 patients with a first-time admission for IE requiring heart valve surgery matched with 971 controls undergoing heart valve surgery due to other causes than IE. The risk of recurrent IE was significantly higher than the risk of first-time IE following heart valve surgery (5.5% and 3.0% by 10 years, hazard ratio (HR) 1.66, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-2.70). The risk of IE recurrence was not significantly different comparing valve replacement and valve repair (5.5% and 5.3%, respectively, HR 1.60, 95% CI 0.71-3.60). Yet, the risk of IE recurrence was significantly higher among patients with biological versus mechanical prostheses (6.3% and 4.6%, respectively, HR 2.00, 95% CI 1.02-3.70).

CONCLUSIONS

Following heart valve surgery, the risk of recurrent IE was significantly higher than the risk of first-time IE.

Mechanical versus biological valve prosthesis for surgical aortic valve replacement in patients with infective endocarditis

OBJECTIVES

The optimal choice of valve prosthesis in surgical aortic valve replacement for infective endocarditis (IE) is controversial. We studied outcomes after mechanical versus biological prosthetic valve surgical aortic valve replacement in IE patients.

METHODS

All patients with native-valve IE aged 16-70 years undergoing mechanical or biological surgical aortic valve replacement in Finland, between 2004 and 2014, were retrospectively studied (n = 213). Outcomes were all-cause mortality, ischaemic stroke, major bleeding and aortic valve reoperation at 1 year and 5 years. Results were adjusted for baseline features (age, sex, comorbidity burden, atrial fibrillation, valvular stenosis, concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting, extension, urgency, year and centre of operation). Median follow-up was 5 years.

RESULTS

The 5-year mortality rate was 19.0% with mechanical prostheses and 34.8% with biological prostheses [hazard ratio (HR) 0.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.23-0.92; P = 0.03]. Ischaemic stroke rates were 8.3% with mechanical prostheses and 16.8% with biological prostheses at 5 years (HR 0.21, CI 0.06-0.79; P = 0.01). Results were comparable in patients aged 16-59 and 60-70 years (interaction P = 0.84). Major bleeding within 5 years was similar between mechanical (11.3%) and biological valve (13.4%) groups (P = 0.95) with comparable rates of both gastrointestinal and intracranial bleeds. Reoperation rates at 5 years were 5.0% for mechanical prostheses and 9.2% for biological prostheses (P = 0.14). The 1-year ischaemic stroke rate was lower with mechanical prostheses (3.6% vs 11.6%, P =0.03), whereas mortality, major bleeding and reoperation rates were similar between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of mechanical aortic valve is associated with lower mid-term mortality compared to biological prosthesis in patients with native-valve IE aged ≤70 years. Our results do not support the routine choice of a biological aortic valve prosthesis in this patient group.

Management of endocarditis among persons who inject drugs: A narrative review of surgical and psychiatric approaches and controversies

BACKGROUND

People who inject drugs (PWID) represent a high-risk subgroup of endocarditis patients. This is highlighted by poorer post-operative outcomes in injection drug use-related infective endocarditis (IDU-IE), which is largely attributable to the increased vulnerability of prosthetic valves to re-infection. Consequently, many centres do not perform valve replacement on these patients. A parallel, but often underrecognized, component of care is the role of multidisciplinary management for individuals with IDU-IE, including perioperative addictions and psychiatric care. Consequently, surgical management options in IDU-IE remain a controversial topic.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the characteristics of optimal surgical and psychiatric care for individuals with IDU-IE.

METHODS

We conducted a narrative synthesis of the findings of literature retrieved from searches of computerized databases, hand searches, and authoritative text, organizing the findings into several key themes: clinical characteristics and factors associated with mortality in IDU-IE, alternative surgical management options, perioperative risk stratification techniques, principles of psychiatric and addictions management in IDU-IE, ethical considerations and controversies, and future research directions.

RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS

Managing IDU-IE involves the treatment of two comorbidities: the intra-cardiac infection and the underlying substance use disorder. Cardiac surgery represents a high-intensity intervention with appreciable risk, and the benefit it is not always clear. As patients often present acutely, it is not feasible to use drug abstinence as a prerequisite to surgery. Involvement of inpatient psychiatry and addictions teams, however, appears to be an evidence-based approach that can bridge IDU-IE patients with opioid agonist therapy in hospital and adequate outpatient treatment options for their underlying addiction upon their discharge from hospital. It is likely that a majority of these patients are not receiving optimal psychiatric management despite increasing recognition of efficacy. Further interdisciplinary studies are needed to elucidate optimal surgical and multidisciplinary protocols.

BACKGROUND

Infective endocarditis (IE) is an infection of the innermost lining of the heart often affecting the heart valves. Over the last few decades, the epidemiology of IE has shifted in the developed world and while it continues to be a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, there has been a significant increased incidence among persons who inject drugs (PWID). To date, well-conducted epidemiologic studies of IE among PWID have been sparse, which has limited our ability to fully characterize this disease phenomenon. To address this knowledge deficit, we conducted a narrative synthesis of the findings of literature retrieved from searches of computerized databases, hand searches, and authoritative text, and organized our findings into six key themes: clinical characteristics and factors associated with mortality in IDU-IE, alternative surgical management options, perioperative risk stratification techniques, principles of psychiatric and addictions management in IDU-IE, ethical considerations and controversies, and future research directions.