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Early Operation in Patients With Mitral Valve Infective Endocarditis and Acute Stroke Is Safe
Mehrdad Ghoreishi1, Nate Foster1, Chetan Pasrija1
1Division of Cardiac Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
Background:
To determine if preoperative embolic stroke is associated with an increased risk of postoperative stroke among patients undergoing early operation for mitral valve (MV) infective endocarditis (IE), we compared outcomes among patients presenting with and without acute stroke.
Methods:
From 2003 to 2015, 243 consecutive patients underwent surgery for active MV IE. Patients were categorized into 2 groups: 72% (174 of 243 patients) with no preoperative acute stroke (clinical, radiographic or both) and 28% (69 of 243 patients) with stroke. Both preoperative and postoperative strokes were confirmed in all patients with brain computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging and comprehensive examination by a neurologist.
Results:
Among patients presenting with stroke, 33% (23 of 69 patients) were asymptomatic and had only positive imaging findings. The median time from admission to operation was 5 days. The overall rate of new postoperative stroke was 4% (10 of 243 patients). The rate of postoperative stroke was not different between the 2 groups: 4% (7 of 174 patients) among patients with no preoperative stroke and 4% (3 of 69 patients) with stroke (p = 0.9). One patient developed a hemorrhagic conversion of an acute infarct. Operative mortality was 7% (13 of 174 patients) among patients with no preoperative stroke and 7% (5 of 69 patients) among patients with stroke (p = 0.9).
Conclusions:
MV surgery for IE and acute stroke can be performed early with a low risk of postoperative neurologic complications. When indicated, surgical intervention for MV IE complicated by acute stroke should not be delayed.
Insights
Preoperative stroke in mitral valve infective endocarditis patients does not increase the risk of postoperative stroke. Early surgery for mitral valve infective endocarditis with stroke is safe and recommended.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Mitral valve (MV) infective endocarditis (IE) can lead to embolic stroke.
- The risk of postoperative stroke after MV surgery in IE patients with preoperative stroke is not well-defined.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between preoperative embolic stroke and postoperative stroke risk in patients undergoing early surgery for active MV IE.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 243 patients undergoing surgery for active MV IE between 2003 and 2015 was analyzed.
- Patients were divided into two groups: those with and without preoperative stroke (clinical or radiographic).
- Postoperative stroke and mortality were compared between groups using confirmed diagnoses via neuroimaging and neurological examination.
Main Results:
- The rate of postoperative stroke was 4% overall and did not differ significantly between patients with (4%) and without (4%) preoperative stroke (p=0.9).
- Operative mortality was also similar between groups (7% with preoperative stroke vs. 7% without, p=0.9).
- 33% of patients with stroke were asymptomatic preoperatively, identified only by imaging.
Conclusions:
- Early surgical intervention for MV IE complicated by acute stroke is associated with a low risk of postoperative neurologic complications.
- The presence of preoperative stroke does not appear to increase the risk of postoperative stroke, supporting timely surgical management.
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