Right-sided valvular infective endocarditis. A clinicopathological study of 29 patients

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Cardiac Surgery

Background:

• Right-sided infective endocarditis (RSIE) is a serious condition, often affecting the tricuspid and pulmonary valves.
• Understanding the specific patient demographics and causative organisms is crucial for effective treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the clinical characteristics, causative organisms, and outcomes of patients diagnosed with right-sided infective endocarditis.
• To identify factors influencing the need for surgical intervention in RSIE cases.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 29 patients diagnosed with right-sided infective endocarditis.
• Analysis of patient demographics, medical history (including congenital heart disease), microbiological data, and treatment outcomes.

Main Results:

• Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequently isolated organism.
• Tricuspid valve involvement was twice as common as pulmonary valve infection.
• 13 out of 29 patients had associated congenital heart disease; none were intravenous drug users.
• Only 11 patients had valvular infections potentially amenable to surgery at the time of death.
• Ring abscesses were observed in 10 patients.

Conclusions:

• Right-sided infective endocarditis presents with specific microbiological and etiological patterns, distinct from left-sided infections.
• Congenital heart disease is a significant comorbidity in this patient group.
• The potential for surgical intervention is often limited by disease severity or timing in RSIE.