Infective endocarditis in elderly and very elderly patients

To compare the clinical and epidemiological characteristics and the evolution of infective endocarditis in adults aged under 65 years, 65-79 years, and 80 years or older.

An observational retrospective cohort study in patients with infective endocarditis was performed in a public hospital in Spain from January 2013 to December 2017.

Seventy-two patients were treated: 26 (36.1%) were under 65 years old, 28 (38.9%) were 65-79 years old, and 18 (25%) were aged 80 or older. Prosthetic valve endocarditis was less common in patients aged 65-79 years (3.6%) than in younger (23.1%; p = 0.047) or older (38.9%; p = 0.004) patients. In contrast, degenerative heart disease was more prevalent in the 65-79 year age group [64.3% compared to 15.4% (p < 0.001) in the youngest group, and 33.3% (p = 0.04) in the oldest]. Surgical interventions were similar in patients aged 65-79 (50%) and under 65 years (42.3%), but less common in people over 80 years (16.7%; p = 0.022).

The characteristics of infective endocarditis are different in patients aged 65-79 years and in those over 80 years.