Infective Endocarditis in Older Patients

Older patients are more likely than younger ones to have healthcare-associated infective endocarditis and to die from their infection.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is increasingly common in Western countries, especially among people aged ≥65. A better understanding of the epidemiology of IE in this population could help to inform management and prevention strategies. Investigators recently analyzed data from a large, multinational, prospective cohort study to evaluate the clinical features, risk factors, and outcomes of IE in older patients.

Of 2759 consecutive IE patients enrolled between 2000 and 2005, 1056 (38%) were aged ≥65. Compared with those aged 18 to 64, older patients were more likely to have healthcare-associated IE (39% vs. 29%; P<0.001). Fifty-six percent of older IE patients had invasive procedures during the 6 months before IE onset, compared with only 39% of…

Reviewing Author

Daniel J. Diekema, MD, MS

Infective Endocarditis in Older Patients

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Reviewing Author