Risk Factors for Mortality in Patients Undergoing Cardiothoracic Surgery for Infective Endocarditis

This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with mortality of patients who undergo cardiac surgery for infective endocarditis.

A retrospective review was performed of patients with infective endocarditis who underwent cardiac surgery at a quaternary Australian hospital between 2004 and 2014. Patient data were collected and prospectively analyzed.

In all, 465 patients underwent surgery during the study period, with 30 deaths (6.45%). Factors independently associated with in-hospital mortality were increasing age (odds ratio [OR] 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01 to 1.07; P = .009), active bacterial endocarditis at time of operation (OR 4.91; 95% CI, 1.01 to 23.8; P = .048), preoperative invasive positive pressure ventilation (OR 3.65; 95% CI, 1.18 to 11.27; P = .025), increasing cardiopulmonary bypass time (OR 1.01; 95% CI, 1.006 to 1.014; P < .001), and increasing European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation score (OR 21.73; 95% CI, 2.12 to 223.11; P < .01).

The in-hospital mortality of patients with infective endocarditis remains significant, with potential risk factors including increasing age, active bacterial endocarditis, preoperative invasive positive pressure ventilation, increasing cardiopulmonary bypass time, and high European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation score.