Influence of Surgical Timing on the Risk of Permanent Pacemaker Implantation in Acute Aortic Valve Endocarditis

Background and Objectives: The optimal timing for surgical intervention in acute aortic valve infective endocarditis (IE) remains debated. Although European guidelines distinguish emergency, urgent, and delayed indications, some centres postpone surgery, concerned that operating before sufficient antibiotic sterilization could increase IE relapse risk. Materials and Methods: This retrospective, observational, multicenter study included patients with acute aortic valve IE. Patients who were not operated, had non-aortic valve IE, or underwent emergency surgery were excluded. Surgery within 7 days of starting targeted antibiotics was classified as "early"; surgery between 7 and 30 days as "late." Primary outcomes were in-hospital mortality and 30-day permanent pacemaker implantation. Secondary endpoints included reinfection, reoperation for IE relapse, and mid-term survival. Results: A total of 203 patients included: 104 early and 99 late. In-hospital mortality was comparable (early: 16 patients, 15.4%; late: 16 patients, 16.2%; p = 0.90). Permanent pacemaker implantation was higher in the late group (early: 9 patients, 8.7%; late: 18 patients, 18.2%; p = 0.046). Mid-term survival at four years was similar (early: 67.1 ± 5.8%; late: 59.7 ± 8.1%; p = 0.71). Recurrence of IE (early: 5.7%; late: 4.8%; p > 0.9) and reoperation for recurrent IE (early: 5.7%; late: 4.8%; p > 0.9) did not differ. Conclusions: Delaying surgery for acute aortic valve IE does not improve procedural safety, as in-hospital mortality is similar. Early intervention does not increase reinfection or reoperation risk, and may reduce permanent pacemaker implantation, likely by preventing progressive fibrosis of the cardiac conduction system caused by infection and prolonged antibiotic exposure.