Similar Outcomes in Males and Females Undergoing Surgery for Infective Endocarditis

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Surgical Outcomes

Background:

• Sex-based disparities in mortality have been noted in infective endocarditis patients.
• Previous observations prompted an investigation into the underlying risk factors for these differences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the risk factors contributing to sex-based mortality differences in surgically treated infective endocarditis.
• To compare short- and long-term mortality rates between female and male patients.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study involving 376 patients from three Israeli centers.
• Analysis of short-term and long-term mortality, alongside risk factor comparison between sexes.

Main Results:

• Female patients exhibited higher rates of hypertension, Gram-negative infections, and mitral valve replacement.
• Diabetes and age were primary mortality predictors, with no significant sex-based difference.
• In-hospital mortality (29% vs. 26%) and long-term mortality (46% vs. 36%) showed no statistical difference between sexes.

Conclusions:

• No statistically significant difference in short- and long-term mortality was observed between female and male patients.
• Similar rates of critical risk factors (diabetes, age) likely explain the comparable mortality outcomes.
• A trend of decreasing mortality over the past decade and a favorable prognosis for patients surviving the initial 30 days post-surgery were noted.