Clinical characteristics, microbiology, and outcomes of infective endocarditis in Qatar.

backgroundInfective endocarditis (IE) is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease. The epidemiology, treatment options, and outcomes have changed considerably over the last two decades. The aim of the study was to describe the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of patients with IE in Qatar.

methodsPatients were identified from Hamad Medical Corporation hospitals' electronic records, the national referral center for the State of Qatar. We included those aged ≥ 18 years with Duke Criteria-based diagnosis of IE during the period from January 2015 to September 2017. Demographic and clinical data were retrieved. Descriptive statistics were performed, and logistic regression analysis was used to describe the relationship between patient characteristics and all-cause in-hospital mortality. All potentially relevant variables were included in the univariate analysis, while those with

resultsFifty-seven cases were included, of which 70% were males. The mean age was 51 years ( ± 16.8 years). Eleven (19%) were associated with prosthetic valves, and 6 (11%) with implantable cardiac devices. Fever (84%), dyspnea (46%), and heart failure (37%) were the most common presentations. Only 58% of patients had known preexisting valvular heart disease or an intracardiac device. Skin infections (10 patients, 18%) were the most prevalent portals of infection, followed by venous catheters, recent valve surgery, and implantable cardiac devices.

conclusionStaphylococci are the most common microbiological cause of IE in Qatar. Surgical intervention is uncommon, and mortality is relatively high. Our findings suggest that efforts should be directed toward improving IE prevention strategies in high-risk patients, encouraging early microbiological investigations and improving medical and surgical management.