Long-term follow-up of infective endocarditis: Rates of reinfection, mortality, and predictors of outcome

Objective: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a severe condition characterized by high mortality rates. We aimed to assess reinfection and mortality rates in IE patients at a tertiary referral center during long-term follow-up. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 204 patients meeting modified Duke criteria for definite IE between 2009 and 2019. Early reinfection was defined as occurrence within 6 months, and late reinfection was defined as occurrence 6 months after the initial diagnosis. Results: Mean follow-up duration was 40.3 ± 26.4 months. Valve surgery was performed in 125 patients (69.8%), while 54 (30.2%) received medical therapy alone. Early reinfection was seen in 9 patients (5.1%), and late reinfection in 12 patients (6.7%). Staphylococci (41.9%), Streptococci (26.3%), and Enterococci (15.6%) were common pathogens. Peripheral limb emboli predicted reinfection (HR 4.118, 95% CI 1.471-11.528, p=0.007). Survival rates at 1, 2, and 5 years were 70.2%, 65.7%, and 57.3%, respectively. Age (HR 1.030, 95% CI 1.011 – 1.049, p=0.002), peripheral limb emboli (HR 2.994, 95% CI 1.509-5.940, p=0.002), and septic shock (HR 2.357, 95% CI 1.097-5.065, p=0.028) predicted mortality. Conclusion: Infective endocarditis mortality rates remain high regardless of reinfection. Peripheral limb emboli independently determine reinfection and mortality. Careful management of this group may reduce morbidity and mortality.