Infective endocarditis: a tertiary referral centre experience from Turkey

Introduction: We aimed to define the current characteristics of infective endocarditis (IE) in a part of Turkey. Methods: All patients who were hospitalized in our hospital with a diagnosis of IE between 2009 and 2014 were included in the study. Data were collected from archives records of all patients. Modified Duke criteria were used for diagnosis. Results: There were 85 IE cases during the study period. The mean age of patients was 52 years. Fourty eight of patients were males. Native valves involved in 47%, prostetic valves involved in 40% and pacemaker or ICD lead IE in 13% of patients. Mitral valve was the most common site of vegetationb (38%). The most common valvular pathology was mitral regurgitation. The most common predisposing factor was prosthetic valve disease (40%). Positive culture rate was 68%. Staphylococci were the most frequent causative microorganisms isolated (27%) followed by Streptococcus spp. (11%). In-hospital mortality rate was 36%. Conclusion: In Turkey, IE occurs in relatively young patients. In high developed part of Turkey, prosthetic and dejenerative valve disease is taking the place of rheumatic valve disease as a predisposing factor. Surgery is an important factor for preventing mortality.