Kremer J, Jahn J, Klein S, Farag M, Borst T, Karck M. Early versus Delayed Surgery in Patients with Left-Sided Infective Endocarditis and Stroke.
J Cardiovasc Dev Dis 2023;
10:356. [PMID:
37623369 PMCID:
PMC10455129 DOI:
10.3390/jcdd10080356]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Timing of surgery remains controversial in patients with infective endocarditis and stroke. Guidelines on infective endocarditis suggest delaying surgery for up to 4 weeks. However, with early heart failure due to progression of the infection or recurrent septic embolism, urgent surgery becomes imperative.
METHODS
Out of 688 patients who were surgically treated for left-sided infective endocarditis, 187 presented with preoperative neurological events. The date of cerebral stroke onset was documented in 147 patients. The patients were stratified according to timing of surgery: 61 in the early group (0-7 days) vs. 86 in the delayed group (>7 days). Postoperative neurological outcome was assessed by the modified Rankin Scale.
RESULTS
Preoperative sepsis was more prevalent in patients with preoperative neurological complications (46.0% vs. 29.5%, p < 0.001). Patients with haemorrhagic stroke were operated on later (19.8% vs. 3.3%, p = 0.003). Postoperative cerebrovascular accidents were comparable between both groups (p = 0.13). Overall, we observed good neurological outcomes (p = 0.80) and a high recovery rate, with only 5% of cases showing neurological deterioration after surgery (p = 0.29). In-hospital mortality and long-term survival were not significantly different in the early and delayed surgery groups (log-rank, p = 0.22).
CONCLUSIONS
Early valve surgery in high-risk patients with infective endocarditis and stroke can be performed safely and is not associated with worse outcomes.
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