Long-term outcomes of mitral valve endocarditis: improved survival through collaborative management

Infective endocarditis (IE) of the mitral valve is an illness associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We describe the long-term outcomes of mitral valve endocarditis at a single centre.

All patients who presented with IE to the study institution between 2000 and 2015 were included. Data were obtained by retrospective review of the medical records.

There were 163 patients who presented with mitral valve IE. Mean age was 58 ± 16.8 years. A history of intravenous drug use was present in 18% (30/163) of patients. The most common infective agents were Staphylococcus aureus in 42% (69/163) (7% (5/69) were methicillin resistant), Streptococcus viridans species in 15% (25/163) and Enterococcus faecalis in 10% (17/163). Surgery was performed in 29% (47/163) of patients. Hospital mortality was 23% (38/163). Survival was 71% (95% confidence interval (CI) 63.1-77.6%) at 1 year, 56% (95% CI 46.0-64.9%) at 5 years and 44% (95% CI 36.4-59.7%) at 10 years follow-up. There was no survival difference between medical and surgical management (P = 0.55). On multivariate Cox regression analysis, need for renal replacement therapy (P = 0.003) and increasing age (P = 0.014) were found to be risk factors while infectious diseases consult during index admission (P = 0.007) was found to be protective.

Mitral valve endocarditis is associated with survival of <50% at 10 years follow-up. Surgical and medical management were associated with similar outcomes. Increasing age and need for renal replacement therapy were associated with mortality, and infectious diseases consultation was associated with improved survival.