Infective endocarditis in elderly and very elderly patients

Aims To compare the clinical and epidemiological characteristics and the evolution of infective endocarditis in adults aged under 65 years, 65–79 years, and 80 years or older. Methods An observational retrospective cohort study in patients with infective endocarditis was performed in a public hospital in Spain from January 2013 to December 2017. Results Seventy-two patients were treated: 26 (36.1%) were under 65 years old, 28 (38.9%) were 65–79 years old, and 18 (25%) were aged 80 or older. Prosthetic valve endocarditis was less common in patients aged 65–79 years (3.6%) than in younger (23.1%; p = 0.047) or older (38.9%; p = 0.004) patients. In contrast, degenerative heart disease was more prevalent in the 65–79 year age group [64.3% compared to 15.4% ( p < 0.001) in the youngest group, and 33.3% ( p = 0.04) in the oldest]. Surgical interventions were similar in patients aged 65–79 (50%) and under 65 years (42.3%), but less common in people over 80 years (16.7%; p = 0.022). Conclusions The characteristics of infective endocarditis are different in patients aged 65–79 years and in those over 80 years.