Influence of early surgical treatment on the prognosis of left-sided infective endocarditis: a multicenter cohort study.

OBJECTIVE:To analyze the influence of early valve operation on mortality in patients with left-sided infective endocarditis (IE). PATIENTS AND METHODS:A multicenter cohort study was carried out between 1990 and 2010. Data from consecutive patients with definite IE and possible left-sided IE were collected. Propensity score matching and adjustment for survivor bias were used to control for confounders. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. RESULTS:A total of 1019 patients with a mean age of 61 years (interquartile range, 47-71 years) were included. Early surgical treatment was performed in 417 episodes (40.9%). By propensity score, we matched 316 episodes: 158 who underwent early surgical treatment and 158 who did not (medical treatment group). In-hospital mortality and late mortality were lower in the surgically treated group (26.6% vs 41.8%; absolute risk reduction [ARR], -15.2%; P=.004 and 29.7% vs 46.2%; ARR, -16.5%; P=.002, respectively). Operation was independently associated with a lower risk of in-hospital mortality (odds ratio, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.22-0.79; P=.007). Operation was associated with reduced mortality in patients with paravalvular complications (ARR, -40.5%), severe heart failure (ARR, -32%), and native valve endocarditis (ARR, -17.8%). CONCLUSION:This study supports the benefit of surgical treatment in patients with left-sided IE carried out during the initial phase of hospitalization, especially in patients with moderate or severe heart failure and paravalvular extension of infection.