Treating the disease and meeting the person with the illness-patient perspectives of needs during infective endocarditis, a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a rare but severe infectious disease. Patients with IE are treated for weeks in the hospital and have profound impairments to their health. New treatment modalities increase options for outpatient care. Little is known about how patients perceive their disease and hospitalisation. We aimed to explore the needs of patients with IE during hospitalisation and the first few months after discharge. METHODS: In this qualitative study, 20 patients (45-86 years of age) hospitalised due to IE in Swedish hospitals were interviewed a median of 112 (67-221) days after hospitalisation. Data were analysed with qualitative content analysis, identifying eight subcategories, two categories, and an overall theme. RESULTS: The overall theme illuminated a spectrum of needs of patients suffering from IE, between treating the disease and meeting the person with the illness. The needs encompassed eight axes with dual focus on both medical excellence and person-centred care. Medical excellence was needed to optimally treat, supervise, and offer follow-up on this rare and severe disease; patients longed to come home, and there were issues of reliability in the healthcare system. Person-centred care was requested, including individualised information leading to knowledge, reorientation, the beginning of health restoration, and being met as a unique person. Symptoms of fatigue, wasting, and cognitive and mental distress were often neglected by the caregiver. CONCLUSIONS: This explorative study shows the patient's needs as important areas in a spectrum between medical excellence and person-centred care. Care in specialised units secure quality. Early discharge is requested by patients. Multiprofessional individualizing outpatient care needs to develop with preserved safety and medical excellence. The disease trajectory after discharge progresses slowly, and the possibility of mitigating its progress is still unclear. Person-centred care, screening for delayed restoration and rehabilitation after endocarditis are important fields for future studies.

A clinical audit on the diagnosis and management of infective endocarditis in a tertiary heart centre in Malaysia.

INTRODUCTION: Infective endocarditis (IE) has a high mortality rate in developing countries including Malaysia. This clinical audit aims to identify the shortcomings in the diagnosis and management of IE patients in a local tertiary centre to implement changes for improvement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective audit had two cycles - the first includes all IE patients in Sarawak Heart Centre, Malaysia from January 2020 to December 2022 with different parameters (blood culture, echocardiogram, the appropriateness of antibiotics and surgery) assessed against Malaysian Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG); and reaudit from July 2023 to December 2023. Interventions before re-audit include presentation at different hospital levels and continuing medical education. RESULTS: Fifty patients were recruited (37 in the first cycle, 13 in the second cycle). The median age was 48.5 years with male predominance. Valve prosthesis (12.0%) and rheumatic heart disease (10.0%) were the commonest predisposing factors. Native mitral (44.0%) and aortic valves (28.0%) were most commonly involved. Twenty-eight (56.0%) patients were culture-positive. In the first cycle, most parameters (culture technique 0.0%, vegetation measured 54.1%, empirical 5.4%, culture-guided 29.7% antibiotics therapy, indicated surgery 0.0%) did not achieve the expected standard except timeliness of echocardiograms and blood culture incubation period. After initial interventions, all parameters showed statistically significant improvement (culture technique p<0.001, echocardiography p<0.001, empirical p<0.001, culture-guided p=0.021, surgery p<0.001) during the re-audit. CONCLUSION: Compliance with clinical practice guidelines (CPG) on IE management was suboptimal during the first audit but improved after interventions. Hence, regular continuing medical education (CME) is essential, and a written hospital protocol may be useful. Regular audits alongside multidisciplinary teamwork are crucial efforts.

Infective endocarditis.

First described more than 350 years ago, infective endocarditis represents a global health concern characterised by infections affecting the native or prosthetic heart valves, the mural endocardium, a septal defect, or an indwelling cardiac device. Over recent decades, shifts in causation and epidemiology have been observed. Echocardiography remains pivotal in the diagnosis of infective endocarditis, with alternative imaging modalities gaining significance. Multidisciplinary management requiring expertise of cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, infectious disease specialists, microbiologists, radiologists and neurologists, is imperative. Current recommendations for clinical management often rely on observational studies, given the limited number of well conducted randomised controlled trials studying infective endocarditis due to the rarity of the disease. In this Seminar, we provide a comprehensive overview of optimal clinical practices in infective endocarditis, highlighting key aspects of pathophysiology, pathogens, diagnosis, management, prevention, and multidisciplinary approaches, providing updates on recent research findings and addressing remaining controversies in diagnostic accuracy, prevention strategies, and optimal treatment.

Epidemiology, outcomes and prognosis of infective endocarditis in Northern Morocco.

INTRODUCTION: Infective endocarditis is a rare but potentially severe disease, associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Our study aims to describe the epidemiology and management aspects of endocarditis in northern Morocco and compare it with international management guidelines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study involving all patients hospitalized in the cardiology department of the University Hospital of Tangier for infective endocarditis over a period of 4 years and 7 months, from May 2019 to February 2024. RESULTS: Eighty patients were hospitalized for IE during the study period. The average age of the patients was 46 years, with an even sex ratio. IE concerned native valves in 77% of cases, mechanical prostheses in 19% of cases, and on bio prostheses in 4%. The average diagnostic delay was 25 days. Blood cultures were negative in 59% of cases. The predominant infective microorganism was the bacteria Staphylococcus (65.6%). Imaging results showed vegetations in 76.3% of cases, predominantly on the mitral valve (39.3%), followed by the aortic valve (21.3%). The main complications included heart failure (51.2%), peripheral arterial embolisms (22.5%) and splenic infarction (17.5%). Management wise, the most commonly used antibiotic therapy was a combination of ceftriaxone and gentamicin. Clinical and biological improvement was observed in 70% of cases, with a mortality rate of 12.5%. Twelve patients underwent surgery (15%). Urgent surgery was indicated in 66,7% of the operated patients. CONCLUSION: Our study highlights the challenges in managing infective endocarditis in northern Morocco. The prognosis of infective endocarditis can be improved through multidisciplinary management within the implementation of an Endocarditis Team.

[Infectious endocarditis: strategy for diagnosis]. / Endocardites infectieuses : démarche diagnostique.

INFECTIOUS ENDOCARDITIS: STRATEGY FOR DIAGNOSIS. The diagnosis of infective endocarditis is often difficult because the clinical presentations are very heterogeneous. Epidemiology has evolved with more acute forms, different microorganisms, and an increase in prevalence in patients with cardiac prosthetic or electronic devices. Diagnosis is based on a clinical suspicion, associated with microbiological data and imaging evidence of lesions of the endocardium. Echocardiography plays a key role, but advanced imaging techniques provide additional information. The 2023 European Society of cardiology (ESC) recommendations like those of 2015 confirmed the essential role of multimodal imaging, integrating lesions highlighted by any imaging technique as major criteria. The diagnostic criteria have thus been modified to consider new epidemiological and imaging data. Different diagnostic strategy algorithms are proposed depending on whether the patient has prosthetic material or not. The endocarditis team is the keystone in this diagnostic approach to improve patient management.

ENDOCARDITES INFECTIEUSES: DÉMARCHE DIAGNOSTIQUE. Le diagnostic d'endocardite infectieuse est souvent difficile, car les présentations cliniques sont hétérogènes. L'épidémiologie a évolué avec des formes plus aiguës, des micro-organismes différents et avec l'augmentation de la prévalence chez les patients porteurs de matériel intracardiaque. Le diagnostic repose sur une suspicion clinique supportée par des données microbiologiques et la mise en évidence de lésions de l'endocarde à l'imagerie. L'échocardiographie joue un rôle clé, mais les techniques avancées d'imagerie permettent d'améliorer les performances diagnostiques. Les recommandations de l'European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 2023, comme celles de 2015, ont confirmé le rôle essentiel de l'imagerie multimodale, intégrant comme critères majeurs les lésions mises en évidence par toute technique d'imagerie. Les critères diagnostiques ont été ainsi modifiés pour prendre en compte les nouvelles données épidémiologiques et d'imagerie. Différents algorithmes de stratégie diagnostique sont proposés selon que le patient est porteur de matériel prothétique ou non. L'équipe multidisciplinaire d'endocardite est la clé de voûte dans cette démarche diagnostique pour améliorer la gestion des patients.

[Treatment of infective endocarditis]. / Prise en charge thérapeutique des endocardites infectieuses.

TREATMENT OF INFECTIVE ENDOCARDITIS. Patients with infective endocarditis (IE) are taken care for by multidisciplinary teams. The treatment consists of antibiotic therapy initiated early, adapted to the responsible germ and prolonged, associated with surgical treatment when there is an indication for surgery. A parenteral antibiotic therapy is initiated in hospital for a period of at least two weeks. Depending on evolution of the patients, outpatient antibiotic treatment may be considered, and oral antibiotics may be proposed in stable patients when IE is caused by the most frequent germs. The surgical treatment of IE consists of total excision of the infected tissues and aims to restore the integrity of valvular functions. Conservative surgical treatment is performed, when possible, otherwise valve replacement is the alternative. The recognition of surgical indications (heart failure, uncontrolled infection, and prevention of embolic risk) is essential to improve the prognosis.

[European registry of infectious endocarditis]. / Registre européen des endocardites infectieuses.

EUROPEAN REGISTRY OF INFECTIOUS ENDOCARDITIS. The EURO-ENDO registry was initiated in 2018. Its objectives were to assess the epidemiological, clinical, bacteriological, and prognostic features of infective endocarditis. Initially only European, it rapidly become a world registry including more than 3000 patients worldwide. EURO-ENDO confirms the drastic change in the profile of patients suffering from infective endocarditis, the important improvements in their management, but their persisting high mortality. EURO-ENDO also underlines the value of an early diagnosis of this disease as well as its management in highly specialized centers, with an experienced medical and surgical team.

REGISTRE EUROPÉEN DES ENDOCARDITES INFECTIEUSES. Le registre EURO-ENDO a été créé en 2018 pour préciser les caractéristiques épidémiologiques, cliniques, bactériologiques, diagnostiques et pronostiques de l'endocardite infectieuse. Initialement européen, il est en fait devenu un registre mondial incluant plus de 3 000 patients à travers le monde. Il confirme le changement radical du profil des patients atteints d'endocardite infectieuse, les grands progrès diagnostiques et thérapeutiques mais également la persistance d'une mortalité élevée chez des patients de plus en plus âgés et polypathologiques. Il souligne l'intérêt d'un diagnostic précoce permettant une prise en charge immédiate par une équipe médico-chirurgicale habituée à traiter cette pathologie complexe.

Temporal changes in the number of European and American guideline recommendations and underlying evidence base for the management of infective: An update of previous published data.

This report aimed to examine temporal changes in the number of recommendations on management of infective endocarditis in the European and American guidelines. The number of recommendations has increased since 2004 without an increment in evidence base in the European iteration. American guidelines have reduced the number of recommendations with a main evidence base of level B.

Endocarditis Infecciosa: una mirada desde la semiología, a propósito de un caso / Infectious Endocarditis: a View from Semiology, case report

Infective endocarditis (IE) is an infection of the inner lining of the heart, especially the heart valves, and carries high morbidity and mortality. It can manifest itself acutely or subacutely, the latter being more insidious. Diagnosis is challenging, especially in early stages, requiring high clinical suspicion using modified Duke criteria. Treatment involves antimicrobials and in certain cases cardiac surgery is essential. The clinical case presents a patient with a history of aortic valve replacement, who develops acute symptoms. Although the diagnosis of endocarditis is achieved, a por physical examination delays starting optimal treatment. Early diagnosis is crucial to avoid adverse outcomes. Post-hospital discharge follow-up is essential to identify possible long-term complications.

La endocarditis infecciosa es una infección del revestimiento interno del corazón, especialmente de las válvulas cardíacas, con alta morbimortalidad. Se manifiesta como aguda o subaguda, siendo esta última más insidiosa. El diagnóstico es desafiante, especialmente en etapas tempranas, requiriendo sospecha clínica en pacientes con fiebre, factores de riesgo cardiacos o no cardiacos y el uso de los criterios de Duke- International Society of Cardiovascular Infectious Diseases. El tratamiento implica antimicrobianos y en ciertos casos es imprescindible la cirugía cardiaca. Se presenta un caso clínico de un paciente con antecedentes de reemplazo valvular aórtico, que desarrolla síntomas agudos. Aunque se logra el diagnóstico de endocarditis, un examen físico poco exhaustivo causa retraso en el inicio del tratamiento óptimo. Un diagnóstico temprano es crucial para evitar resultados adversos. Es esencial la vigilancia estrecha post alta hospitalaria debido a complicaciones a largo plazo.

[Update on endocarditis 2024]. / Update Endokarditis 2024.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a life-threatening disease with an increasing incidence despite improved preventive measures. The revision of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines on infective endocarditis in 2023 brings significant innovations in prevention, diagnostics, and treatment. Many measures for prophylaxis and prevention have been more clearly defined and given higher recommendation levels. In the diagnostics of IE the use of other imaging modalities besides echocardiography, such as cardiac computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET)/CT or single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT with radioactively labeled leukocytes was more strongly emphasized. The diagnostics and treatment of IE associated with a cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) were also revised. An essential innovation is also the possibility of an outpatient antibiotic treatment for certain patients after initial treatment in hospital. The indications for surgery have also been revised and, in particular, the timing of surgery has been more clearly defined. This article provides an overview of the most important changes.

Make Modern Microbiology Matter More in the 2023 European Society of Cardiology Guidelines for the Management of Infective Endocarditis.

The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 2023 guidelines for the management of infective endocarditis (IE) stress that a multidisciplinary approach is needed to manage patients with IE. In our view, the guidelines do not include the relevant perspectives from modern microbiology. The diagnostic criteria for IE were changed in the ESC 2023 guidelines, and many IE-causing pathogens are either not clearly defined. Moreover, an improved understanding of the relationship between bacterial species and the risk for IE has not been implemented. The guidelines give detailed and, in our view, incorrect instructions about diagnostic testing in blood culture-negative IE without presenting proper evidence. Other important diagnostic aspects, such as the value of repeated blood cultures and incubation time for blood cultures, are not discussed. We believe that a multidisciplinary collaboration that include microbiologists would have improved these guidelines, and we hope for a future harmonization of diagnostic criteria for IE.

Behçet's syndrome masquerading as infective endocarditis: A diagnostic conundrum and therapeutic challenge.

This case report presents a 20-year-old male patient initially diagnosed with infective endocarditis, later correctly identified as Behçet's syndrome. The patient's complex clinical presentation, including chest pain, aortic dilation, severe aortic regurgitation, and aortic root abscess, posed significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Despite initial misdiagnosis and treatment difficulties, the patient's condition significantly improved with appropriate immunosuppressive therapy, underscoring the potential for successful management of this complex condition. This case serves as a valuable reminder of the diagnostic challenges posed by Behçet's syndrome and the importance of considering this condition in patients presenting with symptoms suggestive of infective endocarditis.

Hepatic Artery Aneurysms in Infective Endocarditis: Report of 10 Cases and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Hepatic artery aneurysms (HAAs), albeit rare in infective endocarditis (IE), are associated with a life-threatening morbidity. METHODS: Retrospective review of 10 HAA-IE patients based on a total of 623 IE patients managed in 2 institutions (2008-2020) versus 35 literature cases. RESULTS: In our patient population, HAAs (10 males, mean age 48) were incidentally found during IE workup. All were asymptomatic. IE involved mitral (n = 6), aortic (n = 3), or mitral-aortic valve (n = 1). Predisposing factors for IE were as follows: prosthetic valve (n = 6), previous IE (n = 2), IV drug user (n = 1). Streptococcus species (spp.) were predominant (n = 4), then staphylococcus spp (n = 2) and E. faecalis (n = 2). All patients presented associated lesions: infectious aneurysms (n = 5), emboli (n = 9), abscesses (n = 5), and spondylitis/spondylodiscitis (n = 2). HAA patterns on abdominal CT angiography (CTA) were solitary (70%), mean diameter 11.7 mm (range 2-30), intrahepatic location (100%) involving the right HA in 9 out of 10 (90%) patients. In 2 patients, HAAs were complicated (rectorragia and hemobilia in 1, cholestasis in the other). Six patients underwent endovascular hepatic embolization (2 with multiple HAAs). Three HAA-IEs <15 mm resolved under antibiotherapy on abdominal CTA follow-up. All patients underwent cardiac surgery. Late outcome was favorable in all followed patients (5/10). Literature review showed the preponderance of Streptococcus spp., of right lobe and intrahepatic HAA localization. Complications revealed HAAs in patients under antibiotic therapy and/or after cardiac surgery in 17 literature cases of delayed diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal CTA was pivotal in the initial IE workup. Small aneurysms (≤15 mm) resolved under antibiotherapy. The usual treatment modality was HAA embolization and endovascular embolization before valve surgery was safe.

Contributors to Hospitalized Infective Endocarditis Outcomes Among Patients With Substance Use.

Background: Patients with substance use (SU) diagnosed with infective endocarditis (IE) have high rates of discharge against medical advice (DAMA) and 30-day readmission. Objective: Evaluate contributors associated with DAMA and 30-day readmission among patients with SU and IE. Methods: This retrospective chart review included patients >18 years, admitted to one hospital in the Northeastern, United States for SU and IE from January 2018 to December 2020. Patient demographic and clinical characteristics and their association with DAMA and 30-day readmission were summarized using descriptive statistics and Logistic Regression. Results: Of the 144 patients, 60.4% used more than one substance, 38.2% experienced DAMA, and 61.1% were readmitted within 30 days. Age (odds ratio [OR], 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.92-0.98), Length of stay (LOS) (OR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.93-0.98), Medicaid (OR, 2.98; 95% CI, 1.45-6.16), Medicare (OR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.10-0.81), opioid usage (OR, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.01-5.16), and stimulant usage (OR, 2.89; 95% CI, 1.43-5.84) were all significantly associated with DAMA but not with 30-day readmission. Conclusions: Additional investigations of factors associated with DAMA and 30-day readmission are needed to help improve practices and reduce negative outcomes. Implications for Nursing: Multiple factors can affect patient adherence to treatment in this high-risk population. Nursing directly impacts the identification and addressing of unique SU IE patient needs to optimize treatment goals.

Standardized order set for the management of infective endocarditis.

BACKGROUND: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a potentially life-threatening infection that affects the inner lining of the heart, particularly the heart valves. Patients with preexisting heart conditions, damaged heart valves, or a history of intravenous drug use are at a higher risk of acquiring IE. LOCAL PROBLEM: A rural acute care facility reported that 68.75% of patients who had a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection were diagnosed with IE. Review of medical records showed that 65% of patients with IE did not have antibiotic start/stop dates and 51% were discharged before the 6-week completion date. METHODS: The quality-improvement project used a pretest and posttest design. An order set was created based on evidence-based guidelines to assist with the management of patients with IE. The order set included administering intravenous (IV) antibiotics for a minimum of 6 weeks for patients with IE and included a set of recommended weekly follow-up laboratory tests. INTERVENTIONS: An order set with the standard of care and reminders in the electronic health records (EHRs) were implemented for the management of IE, including antibiotic start and stop dates and weekly follow-up labs. RESULTS: After implementation, there was an improvement in the completion of IV antibiotics, documentation of start/stop dates for IV antibiotics, and completion of recommended laboratory tests. CONCLUSIONS: An order set with the standard of care and reminders in the EHR reduced variations in care and improved patient outcomes by ensuring that all providers were following the same evidence-based guidelines for the management of IE.