Neurological Outcome of Septic Cardioembolic Stroke After Infective Endocarditis

Abstract

Background and Purpose-The aim of this study was to evaluate mortality and neurological outcomes of cardioembolic cerebral stroke in infective endocarditis (IE) patients requiring cardiac surgery. Methods-A consecutive series of 214 patients undergoing cardiac surgery for IE was followed up for 20 years. In 65 patients (mean age, 52 years), IE was complicated by computed tomography-or magnetic resonance imaging-verified stroke (nϭ61) or transient ischemic attack (nϭ4). Perioperative (30-day) and long-term mortality was assessed with regression models adjusting for age. Complete neurological recovery of IE survivors was defined by a modified Rankin score of Յ1 and a Barthel index of 20 points. Results-Fifty of 61 stroke patients (81.9%) survived surgery. In comparison with nonstroke patients, the age-adjusted perioperative mortality risk was 1.70-fold (95% CI, 0.73 to 3.96, Pϭ0.22) higher and long-term mortality risk was 1.23-fold (95% CI, 0.72 to 2.11, Pϭ0.45) higher in stroke patients. Patients with complicated stroke (meningitis, hemorrhage, or brain abscess) showed a higher perioperative mortality rate (38.9% vs 8.5%, Pϭ0.007) but no higher neurological complication rate than patients with uncomplicated ischemic stroke. Complete neurological recovery was achieved in 35 IE survivors (70%, 95% CI, 55% to 82%). However, in the case of middle cerebral artery stroke, recovery was only 50% and was significantly lower compared with non-middle cerebral artery stroke (Pϭ0.012). Conclusion-Uncomplicated IE-related stroke showed a favorable prognosis with regard to both long-term survival and neurological recovery. The formidable risk of secondary cerebral hemorrhage due to cardiac surgery seems to be much lower than previously thought.

Stabilized Infective Endocarditis and Altered Heparin Responsiveness During Cardiopulmonary Bypass

“…Other predisposing factors include old age and hypoalbuminemia [5]. Infective endocarditis is an independent risk factor for renal dysfunction and stroke [16]. Surgery for IE continues to be challenging and is associated with a poor prognosis [17,18].…”

Infective endocarditis with brain lesions misdiagnosed as viral encephalitis

“…This is consistent with cardioembolic lesions in IE patients. [9] Additionally, continual variant symptoms occurred as expected in cardioembolism.…”

The long and short of vegetations in infective endocarditis

“…Moreover, with an acute cerebral EE, cardiac surgeons often opt to defer valve surgery because of the potential for cerebral bleed during intraoperative heparinization. Although 'uncomplicated, nonhemorrhagic embolic stroke' appears to have a favorable outcome after valve surgery for IE, evidence of cerebral hemorrhage prior to surgery enhances perioperative mortality [26,27].…”