OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical manifestations, epidemiological features, pathogens, treatment and outcomes of 112 patients with infectious endocarditis.

METHODSThe clinical data were reviewed for all the patients with the diagnosis of infectious endocarditis in Nanfang Hospital over the period from 2002 to 2012.

RESULTSThe average age of disease onset was 46∓17.1 years among these cases. Seventy patients (62.5%) had underlying cardiac conditions, including, in the order of frequency, rheumatic heart disease, congenital cardiovascular anomalies, and senile valve degeneration. Clinically the patients presented with fever, anemia, congestive heart failure, and embolism events, etc. Echocardiography found endocardial neoplasms in 105 cases, and the mitral valve was often involved. Blood culture yielded positive results in 61 cases, and the most common causative bacteria were Streptococcus (20.5%), Staphylococcus (19.6%) and Enterococcus (5.4%). Surgical intervention was performed in 78 cases. Ninety-one patients were cured or improved after comprehensive treatment, and 10 discontinued treatment for financial reasons; 11 died of cardiac failure (8 cases), pulmonary embolism (2 cases) and central nervous system events (1 case).

CONCLUSIONInfectious endocarditis shows a significant change in the clinical profiles and its mortality remains high despite improved diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.