Early-onset prosthetic valve endocarditis definition revisited: Prospective study and literature review

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2017.09.004Get rights and content
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Highlights

  • Studies reporting the etiology of prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) are an unmet clinical need.

  • A prospective cohort study was performed along with a literature review to describe the distribution of the etiology of PVE.

  • At >120 days after valve surgery, there is a decrease in the incidence of resistant microorganisms.

  • PVE occurring at >120 days after surgery may be treated with the same empirical treatment as for late PVE.

  • This approach could lead to higher antibiotic efficacy and less damage to the patient’s natural flora.

Abstract

Objective

To determine the annual incidence of prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) and to evaluate its current classification based on the epidemiological distribution of agents identified and their sensitivity profiles.

Methods

Consecutive cases of PVE occurring within the first year of valve surgery during the period 1997–2014 were included in this prospective cohort study. Incidence, demographic, clinical, microbiological, and in-hospital mortality data of these PVE patients were recorded.

Results

One hundred and seventy-two cases of PVE were included, and the global annual incidence of PVE was 1.7%. Most PVE cases occurred within 120 days after surgery (76.7%). After this period, there was a reduction in resistant microorganisms (64.4% vs. 32.3%, respectively; p = 0.007) and an increase in the incidence of Streptococcus spp (1.9% vs. 23.5%; p = 0.007). A literature review revealed 646 cases of PVE with an identified etiology, of which 264 (41%) were caused by coagulase-negative staphylococci and 43 (7%) by Streptococcus spp. This is in agreement with the current study findings.

Conclusions

Most PVE cases occurred within 120 days after valve surgery, and the same etiological agents were identified in this period. The current cut-off level of 365 days for the classification of early-onset PVE should be revisited.

Keywords

Infective endocarditis
Antibacterial agent
Heart valve prostheses

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