Infective endocarditis in elderly patients: clinical characteristics and outcome

Abstract

The immediate results of treatment for endocarditis are comparable between elderly and younger patients. The long-term prognosis for the elderly patients is worse, mainly related to a higher comorbidity index. Surgery in elderly patients may be a reasonable option, and should be considered in selected elderly patients.

Clinical and Microbiologic Features of Multivalvular Endocarditis

“…It can reach as high as 25% of cases in some specific groups of patients, such as patients developing endocarditis after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation [19]. Multivalvular location is independent of age [20,21] and no predisposing factors could be identified from the French cohort.…”

Infective Endocarditis in the Elderly

“…It is thought that this is due to the higher proportion of urethral and prostatic procedures performed in the elderly (Di Salvo et al, 2003). Pacemaker endocarditis is commoner amongst the elderly, as would be expected as the number of patients with pacemakers increases with age (Remadi et al, 2009). Pacemaker endocarditis has been associated with even more difficult and delayed diagnosis, resulting in a poor prognosis.…”

Role of Echocardiogram in Decision Making for Surgery in Endocarditis

“…What does it mean? Because this study seems to be the first serious attempt focusing attention on cost-effectiveness of echocardiography in the decision-making process, the practical implication is that the role of preoperative echocardiography is reinforced when reaching a decision for an operation, especially in current times, when about 50% of patients with acute IE require an operation [23,24]. This is of particular importance in specific subsets of patients (eg, elderly patients or hemodialysis patients) where IE has differential characteristics that make diagnosis and decision making somewhat troublesome.…”