Physician perceptions of a multidisciplinary endocarditis team.

Infectious endocarditis is a highly morbid infection that requires coordination of care across medical and surgical specialties, often through the use of a multidisciplinary team model. Multiple studies have demonstrated that such conferences can improve clinical outcomes. However, little is known about physicians' impressions of these groups. We surveyed 126 (response rate of 30%) internal medicine, infectious diseases, cardiology, and cardiac surgery providers 1 year after the implementation of an endocarditis team at the University of Michigan. Ninety-eight percent of physicians felt that the endocarditis team improved communication between specialties. Additionally, over 85% of respondents agreed that the group influenced diagnostic evaluation, reduced management errors, increased access to surgery, and decreased in-hospital mortality for endocarditis patients. These results suggest that multidisciplinary endocarditis teams are valued by physicians as a tool to improve patient care and serve an important role in increasing communication between providers.

The Clinical Impact of Implementation of a Multidisciplinary Endocarditis Team.

BACKGROUND: Infectious endocarditis is associated with substantial in-hospital mortality of 15%-20%. Effective management requires coordination between multiple medical and surgical subspecialties, which can often lead to disjointed care. Previous European studies have identified multidisciplinary endocarditis teams as a tool for reducing endocarditis mortality. METHODS: The multidisciplinary endocarditis team was formed in May 2018. The group developed an evidence-based algorithm for management of endocarditis that was used to provide recommendations for hospitalized patients over a 1-year period. Mortality outcomes were then retroactively assessed and compared to a historical control utilizing propensity matching. RESULTS: Between June 2018 and June 2019 the team provided guideline-based recommendations on 56 patients with Duke Criteria-definite endocarditis and at least 1 American Heart Association indication for surgery. The historical control included 68 patients with definite endocarditis and surgical indications admitted between July 1, 2014, and June 30, 2015. In-hospital mortality decreased significantly from 29.4% in 2014-2015 to 7.1% in 2018-2019 (P < .0001). There was a non-significant increase in the rate of surgical intervention after implementation of the team (41.2% vs 55.4%; P = 0.12). Propensity score matching demonstrated similar results. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of a multidisciplinary endocarditis team was associated with a significant 1-year decrease in all-cause in-hospital mortality for patients with definite endocarditis and surgical indications, in the presence of notable differences between the 2 studied cohorts. In conjunction with previous studies demonstrating their effectiveness, these data support the idea that widespread adoption of endocarditis teams in North America could improve outcomes for this patient population.

A step-by-step guide to implementing a multidisciplinary endocarditis team.

Over the last several years multiple studies, primarily from European centers have demonstrated the clinical and outcomes benefits of multidisciplinary endocarditis teams. Despite this literature, adoption of this approach to patient care has been slower in the United States. While there is literature outlining the optimal composition of an endocarditis team, there is little information to guide providers as they attempt to transform practice from a fragmented, disjointed process to an efficient, collaborative care model. In this review, the authors will outline the steps they took to create and implement a successful multidisciplinary endocarditis team at the University of Michigan. In conjunction with existing data, this piece can be used as a resource for clinicians seeking to improve the care of patients with endocarditis at their institutions.

The Role of Coronary Catheterization with Angiography in Surgically Managed Infectious Endocarditis.

BACKGROUND: Coronary catheterization with angiography is often performed prior to surgical valve replacement in infectious endocarditis. There are no existing data as to whether this intervention is clinically necessary or leads to a change in surgical management. In order to determine the frequency with which coronary angiography impacts surgical management in infectious endocarditis, we conducted a retrospective review of surgically managed endocarditis cases at a tertiary care medical center. METHODS: Utilizing the institutional Society of Thoracic Surgeon's database, we identified 598 patients with surgically managed endocarditis between April 29, 2011 and December 31, 2018. Patient variables were recorded, including risk factors for coronary artery disease, whether the patient received coronary angiography prior to surgery, and if the patient underwent coronary artery bypass grafting as part of their valve surgery. RESULTS: There were 430 patients who received coronary catheterization with angiography prior to surgical valve replacement for infectious endocarditis, and 168 patients proceeded to surgery without coronary angiography. Nine percent of patients underwent coronary artery bypass grafting at the time of valve replacement as a result of coronary angiography findings. There was no significant difference in 30-day mortality for patients with endocarditis who underwent coronary angiography when compared with those who did not receive coronary angiography (2.6 vs 2.4%; P = 0.89). CONCLUSIONS: Left heart catheterization with coronary angiography prior to surgical valve replacement leads to coronary artery bypass grafting in the minority of infective endocarditis patients.

Clinical Practice Update on Infectious Endocarditis.

Infectious endocarditis is a highly morbid disease with approximately 43,000 cases per year in the United States. The modified Duke Criteria have poor sensitivity; however, advances in diagnostic imaging provide new tools for clinicians to make what can be an elusive diagnosis. There are a number of risk stratification calculators that can help guide providers in medical and surgical management. Patients who inject drugs pose unique challenges for the health care system as their addiction, which is often untreated, can lead to recurrent infections after valve replacement. There is a need to increase access to medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorders in this population. Recent studies suggest that oral and depo antibiotics may be viable alternatives to conventional intravenous therapy. Additionally, shorter courses of antibiotic therapy are potentially equally efficacious in patients who are surgically managed. Given the complexities involved with their care, patients with endocarditis are best managed by multidisciplinary teams.