[Infective endocarditis at the University Hospital of Dakar. Clinical, outcome, and therapeutic features]

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Context:

• Infective endocarditis (IE) presents significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, particularly in regions with high rheumatic fever prevalence.
• This retrospective study analyzes 86 IE cases hospitalized over a decade (1986-1996).
• The study highlights a notable female predominance and a young mean age (26.45 years) among affected individuals, with a significant portion from low socioeconomic backgrounds.

Purpose:

• To investigate the prevalence, clinical characteristics, complications, and outcomes of infective endocarditis.
• To identify risk factors and common sources of infection in IE patients.
• To emphasize the impact of underlying rheumatic heart disease and the need for effective prevention strategies.

Summary:

• The study found IE prevalence at 4.3%, with rheumatic valve regurgitation as the primary underlying condition (95.3%).
• Common clinical signs included fever, anemia, and weight loss, with diagnosis delays averaging 35 days.
• Key complications were heart failure (47.6%) and stroke (33.7%), leading to a high mortality rate of 30.7% despite medical management.

Impact:

• The findings underscore the significant burden of IE, characterized by frequent complications and high mortality.
• The study strongly advocates for the primary prevention of rheumatic fever to mitigate the incidence and impact of infective endocarditis.
• These insights are vital for public health initiatives and clinical management strategies targeting IE and its precursors.