Risk factors for mortality in patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery for infective endocarditis

Abstract Background A study aiming to identify risk factors associated with mortality of patients who undergo cardiac surgery for infective endocarditis. Methods A retrospective review of patients with infective endocarditis who underwent cardiac surgery at a quaternary Australian hospital between 2004 and 2014. Patient data was collected and prospectively analysed. Results 465 patients underwent surgery during the time period, with 30 deaths (6.45%). Factors independently associated with in-hospital mortality were: increasing age (Odds Ratio [OR] 1.04; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.01-1.07; p=0.009), active bacterial endocarditis at time of operation (OR 4.91; 95% CI 1.01-23.8; p=0.048), pre-operative invasive positive pressure ventilation (OR 3.65; 95% CI1.18-11.27; p=0.025); increasing cardio-pulmonary bypass time (OR 1.01; 95% CI 1.006-1.014; p Conclusions The in-hospital mortality of patients with infective endocarditis remains significant, with potential risk factors including increasing age, active bacterial endocarditis, pre-operative invasive positive pressure ventilation, increasing cardio-pulmonary bypass time and high euroSCORE.