Changing Patient Characteristics and the Effect on Mortality in Endocarditis

Abstract

HISTORICALLY, infective endocarditis (IE) was predominantly a disease of patients with preexisting valvular abnormalities and community-associated bacteremia. Streptococcal species accounted for 60% to 80% of all cases, and most patients had rheumatic heart disease.^1,2 Over the past 20 years, significant changes in the demographic characteristics of IE have occurred. For example, the prevalence of rheumatic heart disease has decreased,^3-5 while the prevalence of chronically ill patients receiving intensive and invasive care has increased.^6-8