Optimizing outcomes in infective endocarditis: A comprehensive literature review

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Infective endocarditis (IE) is a rare but life-threatening condition with a high mortality rate.
• Evolving predisposing factors, changing microbiology, an aging population, and increasing antimicrobial resistance present significant challenges in IE management.
• Despite advances, the incidence of IE has not significantly decreased, necessitating updated strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of the evolving trends in infective endocarditis (IE).
• To discuss current diagnostic and management strategies for IE.
• To highlight the emerging role of specialized infective endocarditis teams in patient care.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted across major databases including PubMed, Ovid, SCOPUS, Embase, and Google Scholar.
• Keywords focused on endocarditis, its diagnosis (Duke criteria), valve involvement, bacteriology, and outcomes.
• Inclusion criteria encompassed studies on IE incidence, management, and the role of IE teams, excluding case reports and editorials.

Main Results:

• Findings related to the changing epidemiology and microbiology of IE are summarized.
• Current diagnostic and therapeutic strategies are presented.
• The impact and necessity of multidisciplinary IE teams are discussed.

Conclusions:

• Understanding current trends in IE epidemiology and microbiology is vital for adapting diagnostic thresholds and identifying at-risk populations.
• An accelerated evaluation strategy is needed for earlier diagnosis and treatment of IE.
• A multidisciplinary approach involving cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, infectious disease, and microbiology is crucial for reducing IE morbidity and mortality.