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Aims To determine the prognosis of patients treated for infective endocarditis (IE) according to their healthcare pathway. To assess how the ESC guidelines are implemented concerning the performance of transoesophageal echocardiography, the use of antibiotic therapy, and the performance of valve surgery; and to compare the epidemiological profile of IE according to the type of centres in which the patients are hospitalized. Methods and results In a prospective multicentric study including 22 hospitals in the South-East of France, 342 patients were classified into three groups according to their healthcare pathway: 119 patients diagnosed and taken care entirely in a reference centre or hospital with cardiac surgery [Referral Center (RC) group], 111 patients diagnosed and initially taken care in a non-RC (NRC), then referred in a centre including cardiac surgery [transferred to the Referral Center (TRC) group] and 112 patients totally taken care in the NRC (NRC group). One-year mortality was 26% (88 deaths) and was not significantly different between Groups 1 and 2 (20 vs. 21%, P = 0.83). Patients in the NRC group had a higher mortality (37%) compared with patients in the RC and TRC groups (P Conclusion Prognosis of patients with IE is influenced by their healthcare pathway. Patients treated exclusively in NRC have a worse prognosis than patients treated in referral or surgical centres.

In native mitral valve infective endocarditis (NMIE), the respective values of mitral valve repair (MVRep) and replacement (MVR) are still debated.To compare MVRep and MVR in a large prospective matched cohort.Between 2010 and 2017, all consecutive patients operated on for NMIE in our centre were included prospectively. Clinical and outcome features were compared between the two groups. Primary endpoint was event-free survival, including death, reoperation and relapse. Univariate and multivariable survival analyses and a propensity score analysis were performed.Among 152 patients, 115 (75.7%) underwent MVRep, and 37 (24.3%) MVR. Median follow-up was 28±22months. Surgery was performed during the active phase in 75.0% of patients (25.7% on an urgent basis). Compared with the MVRep group, patients in the MVR group were more frequently intravenous drug abusers (10.8% vs. 0.9%; P=0.016), had a more frequent history of rheumatic fever (13.5% vs. 0%; P=0.001), more aortic abscesses (16.7% vs. 3.5%; P=0.018), larger vegetations (16.6±8.1mm vs. 12.6±9.9mm; P=0.042) and poorer New York Heart Association status (P=0.006). Overall mortality was lower in the MVRep group than in MVR group (11.3% vs. 29.3%; P=0.018). Event-free survival was better in the MVRep group than in the MVR group in univariate analysis (hazard ratio: 2.72, 95% confidence interval: 1.34-5.52; P=0.004). Survival analysis in the propensity-matched cohort showed that MVRep was safer than MVR (log rank test: P=0.018). Multivariable analysis using the Cox proportional hazard model confirmed this finding (hazard ratio: 3.48, 95% confidence interval: 1.15-10.61; P=0.03).MVRep is feasible in most cases of NMIE and, when technically possible, should be preferred, even in urgent surgery.

International audience; Background - Infective endocarditis (IE) is a common and serious complication in patients receiving chronic hemodialysis (HD). Objectives - This study sought to investigate whether there are significant differences in complications, cardiac surgery, relapses, and mortality between IE cases in HD and non-HD patients. Methods - Prospective cohort study (International Collaboration on Endocarditis databases, encompassing 7,715 IE episodes from 2000 to 2006 and from 2008 to 2012). Descriptive analysis of baseline characteristics, epidemiological and etiological features, complications and outcomes, and their comparison between HD and non-HD patients was performed. Risk factors for major embolic events, cardiac surgery, relapses, and in-hospital and 6-month mortality were investigated in HD-patients using multivariable logistic regression. Results - A total of 6,691 patients were included and 553 (8.3%) received HD. North America had a higher HD-IE proportion than the other regions. The predominant microorganism was Staphylococcus aureus (47.8%), followed by enterococci (15.4%). Both in-hospital and 6-month mortality were significantly higher in HD versus non-HD-IE patients (30.4% vs. 17% and 39.8% vs. 20.7%, respectively; p

Summary Background Infective endocarditis (IE) is associated with a high mortality rate, related in part to neurological complications. Studies suggest that valvular surgery should be performed early when indicated, but is often delayed by the presence of neurological complications. Aim To assess the effect of delaying surgery in patients with IE and neurological complications and to identify factors predictive of death. Methods In a prospective, single-centre study in a referral centre for IE, all patients with IE underwent systematic screening for neurological complications. The primary outcome was 6-month death. In patients presenting with neurological complications, the prognosis according to surgical status was analysed and a Cox regression model used to identify variables predictive of death. Results Between April 2014 and January 2018, 351 patients with a definite diagnosis of left-sided IE were included. Ninety-four patients (26.8%) presented with at least one neurological complication. Fifty-nine patients (17.7%) died during 6-month follow-up. Six-month mortality rates did not differ significantly between patients with and without neurological complications (P = 0.60). Forty patients had a temporary surgical contraindication because of neurological complications. During the period of surgical contraindication, seven of these patients (17.5%) died, six (15.0%) presented a new embolic event, and 12 (30.0%) presented cardiac or septic deterioration. In multivariable analysis, predictive factors of death in patients presenting with neurological complications were temporary surgical contraindication (hazard ratio 7.36, 95% confidence interval 1.61–33.67; P = 0.010) and presence of a mechanical prosthetic valve (hazard ratio 16.40, 95% confidence interval 2.22–121.17; P = 0.006). Conclusions Patients with a temporary surgical contraindication due to neurological complications had a higher risk of death and frequent major complications while waiting for surgery. When indicated, the decision to postpone surgery in the early phase should be weighed against the risk of infectious or cardiac deterioration.

International audience; Background: 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) has recently been added as a major criterion in the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) 2015 infective endocarditis guidelines. PET/CT is currently used in patients with suspected prosthetic valve and cardiac device-related endocarditis. However, the value of the ESC classification and the clinical impact of PET findings are unknown in patients with native valve endocarditis (NVE).Aims: Our aims were: to assess the value of the ESC criteria (including PET/CT) in NVE; to determine the usefulness of PET/CT concerning embolic detection; and to describe a new PET/CT feature (diffuse splenic uptake).Methods: Between 2012 and 2017, 75 patients with suspected NVE were included prospectively, after exclusion of patients with uninterpretable or unfeasible PET/CT. Using gold standard expert consensus, 63 cases of infective endocarditis were confirmed and 12 were rejected.Results: Significant valvular uptake was observed in 11 of 63 patients with definite NVE and in no patients who had the diagnosis of infective endocarditis rejected (sensitivity 17.5%, specificity 100%). Among the 63 patients with NVE, a peripheral embolism or mycotic aneurysm was observed in 20 (31.7%) cases. Application of the ESC criteria increased Duke criteria sensitivity from 63.5% to 69.8% (P

Background and objectives 18F-FDG PET/CT has recently been added as a major criterion in the ESC 2015 infective endocarditis (IE) guidelines. We and others have demonstrated that18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) / computed tomography (CT) was useful in patients with suspected prosthetic valve and cardiac device IE. However, the sensitivity and specificity of ESC classification is unknown in patients with native valve endocarditis (NVE) as well as the clinical impact of PET findings. Purposes 1. Primary objective: To assess the value of the new ESC criteria including 18F-FDG PET/CT in native valve infective endocarditis (NVIE). 2. Secondary objectives: – to determine the usefulness of PET/CT concerning embolic or neoplastic detection. – to describe a new PET/CT feature, i.e. the diffuse splenic uptake. Methods Between 2012 and 2017, 75 patients with suspected NVIE were prospectively included, after exclusion of patients with uninterpretable or not feasible PET/CT. Using the expert consensus of the Endocarditis Team after a 3-month follow-up as gold standard, 63 IE were confirmed and 12 were rejected. Patients follow-up was scheduled at one and three months after hospitalization. Results Significant cardiac uptake by PET/CT (major criterion) was observed in 11 among 63 patients with definite NVIE and no patients with rejected IE (sensitivity 18%, specificity 100%). Among the 63 patients with a final diagnosis of NVE, a peripheral embolism or mycotic aneurysm was observed in 20 cases (32%). Considering this, the ESC 2015 classification increased the sensitivity of Duke criteria from 64 to 70% (p Conclusion 1. The value of 18F-FDG PET/CT in NVE diagnosis is poor (18% sensitivity) 2. Usefulness of PET/CT remains high when concerning embolic or neoplastic detection. 3. Our study describes for the first time in NVE a new potential endocarditis criterion, i.e. the presence of a diffuse splenic uptake on 18F-FDG PET/CT Diffuse splenic uptake Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Background: Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is an imaging technique largely used in the management of infective endocarditis and in the detection and staging of cancer. We evaluate our experience of incidental cancer detection by PET/CT during IE investigations and follow-up. Methods and Findings: Between 2009 and 2018, our center, which includes an "endocarditis team," managed 750 patients with IE in a prospective cohort. PET/CT became available in 2011 and was performed in 451 patients. Incidental diagnosis of cancer by PET/CT was observed in 36 patients and confirmed in 34 of them (7.5%) (colorectal n = 17; lung n = 7; lymphoma n = 2; melanoma n = 2; ovarian n = 2; prostate n = 1; bladder n = 1; ear, nose, and throat n = 1; brain n = 1). A significant association has been found between colorectal cancer and Streptococcus gallolyticus and/or Enterococcus faecalis [12/26 vs. 6/33 for other cancers, p = 0.025, odds ratio = 3.86 (1.19-12.47)]. Two patients had a negative PET/CT (a colon cancer and a bladder cancer), and two patients, with positive PET/CT, had a benign colorectal tumor. PET/CT had a sensitivity of 94-100% for the diagnosis of cancer in this patient. Conclusions: Whole-body PET/CT confirmed the high incidence of cancer in patients with IE and could now be proposed in these cases.

ObjectiveThe primary objective was to assess the characteristics and prognosis of pyogenic spondylodiscitis (PS) in patients with infective endocarditis (IE). The secondary objectives were to assess the factors associated with occurrence of PS.MethodsProspective case–control bi-centre study of 1755 patients with definite IE with (n=150) or without (n=1605) PS. Clinical, microbiological and prognostic variables were recorded.ResultsPatients with PS were older (mean age 69.7±18 vs 66.2±14; p=0.004) and had more arterial hypertension (48% vs 34.5%; pStreptococcus gallolyticus were more frequent (24% vs 12% and 24% vs 11%; p18F-FDG PET/CT in 56 patients. In-hospital (16% vs 13.5%, p=0.38) and 1-year (21% vs 22%, p=0.82) mortalities did not differ between patients with or without PS.ConclusionsPS is a frequent complication of IE (8.5% of IE), is observed in older hypertensive patients with enterococcal or S. gallolyticus IE, and has a similar prognosis than other forms of IE. Since PS is associated with specific management, multimodality imaging including MRI, CT and PET/CT should be used for early diagnosis of this complication of endocarditis.

Background Infective endocarditis (IE) is a severe disease requiring early diagnosis and treatment. Although echocardiography (ECHO) is the key diagnostic method, CT-scan (CT) has recently been added as a new ESC diagnostic criterion. However, published data are scarce and included few patients Purpose To assess the additional value of CT over ECHO for the diagnosis of IE Methods Between 2014 and 2017, 246 pts with suspected IE underwent both ECHO and CT. Using the expert consensus of the Endocarditis Team after a 3-month follow-up as gold standard, 222 IE were confirmed (112 native [NVE] and 110 prosthetic [PVE]) and 24 were rejected. The primary end-point was the comparison between ECHO and cardiac CT (CCT) findings. The secondary end-point was the change in diagnostic criteria sensitivity and specificity associated with the addition of CT results. Results 1. Among the 110 cases of definite PVE, – Vegetations were found in 49 (44%) pts by ECHO and 45 (40%) by CCT (agreement in 71 [64%] pts). – Periannular lesions were found in 33 (30%) pts by ECHO and 46 (41%) by CCT (agreement in 86 [77%] pts). – CCT found a new cardiac lesion missed by ECHO in 10 (9%) pts. 2. Among the 112 cases of definite NVE, – Vegetations were found in 84 (76%) pts by ECHO and 90 (81%) by CCT (agreement in 84 [76%] pts). – Periannular lesions were found in 34 (30%) pts by ECHO and 29 (26%) by CCT (agreement in 58 [52%] pts). – CCT found a new cardiac lesion missed by ECHO in 3 (3%) pts. 3. Including CT findings as major and minor criteria increased the sensitivity of Duke criteria from 60 to 70% in 124 suspected PVE, and from 73 to 80% in 122 suspected NVE, without significant decrease in specificity. Conclusions 1. This study is the largest prospective study assessing the value of CT in the diagnosis of IE. 2. Adding CT findings significantly increases the sensitivity of Duke criteria, both in NVE and PVE. 3. Our results support the use of ESC criteria including CT rather than Duke criteria.

Background Spondylodiscitis (SP) is a rare, but severe complication of infective endocarditis (IE). The incidence, clinical features and prognosis of SP in IE are unknown. Purpose The primary objective of our study was to assess the incidence, epidemiology, clinical presentation, prognosis, and therapeutic implications of SP in patient with IE. The secondary objectives were to assess factors associated with occurrence of spondylitis and to assess the value of imaging techniques. Methods In a French bi-center prospective study of patients who presented in our endocarditis reference centers with a diagnosis of definite IE from 1990 to 2018 (n=1755), 150 (8.5%) presented with SP. Clinical, epidemiological, microbiological, and prognostic variables were prospectively recorded and compared between patients with (n=150) and without (n=1605) SP. Results Patients with SP were older (mean age 69.7±18 vs 66.2±14; p=0.004), had more arterial hypertension (48% vs 34,5%; p Conclusions We describe the largest ever reported series of patients with spondylodiscitis complicating IE. Spondylodiscitis is a more frequent complication of IE than previously reported (8.5% of IE), is observed in older hypertensive patients with Enterococcal or Streptococcus gallolyticus IE and has a similar prognosis than other forms of IE. Since SP is associated with prolonged antibiotic therapy and may need specific surgical therapy, multimodality imaging including MRI, CT, and PET/CT should be used for early diagnosis of this IE complication.

The mortality rate for Staphylococcus aureus endocarditis remains as high as 20-30% despite improvements in medical and surgical treatment. This study evaluated the efficiency and tolerance of a combination of intravenous trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and clindamycin (TC) +/- rifampicin and gentamicin, with a rapid switch to oral administration of TC.This before-after intervention study compared the outcomes of 170 control patients before introduction of the TC protocol (2001-2011) with the outcomes of 171 patients in the TC group (2012-2016). All patients diagnosed with S. aureus infective endocarditis and referred to the study centre between 2001 and 2016 were included. Between 2001 and 2011, the patients received a standardized antibiotic treatment: oxacillin or vancomycin for 6 weeks, plus gentamicin for 5 days. Since February 2012, the antibiotic protocol has included a high dose of TC (intravenous, switched to oral administration on day 7). Rifampicin and gentamicin are also given in cases of cardiac abscess or persistent bacteraemia.The two groups were slightly different. On intention-to-treat analysis, global mortality (19% vs 30%, P=0.024), in-hospital mortality (10% vs 18%, P=0.03) and 30-day mortality (7% vs 14%, P=0.05) were lower in the TC group. The mean duration of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the TC group (30 vs 39 days; P=0.005).The management of S. aureus infective endocarditis using a rapid shift to oral administration of TC reduced the length of hospital stay and the mortality rate.

This study sought to assess the prognostic value ofThis study prospectively included 173 consecutive patients (109 PVE and 64 NVE) with definite left-sided IE who had an

International audience; Background. Staphylococcus aureus prosthetic valve endocarditis (SAPIE) is a serious disease. Aims. Our objective was to study the clinical, echocardiographic and prognostic characteristics of left-sided SAPIE, and to compare these characteristics with those of left-sided non-S. aureus prosthetic infective endocarditis (NSAPIE) (i.e. left-sided prosthetic infective endocarditis caused by another germ). Methods. This was a retrospective analysis of 35 cases of SAPIE among 247 cases of left-sided prosthetic valve endocarditis hospitalized at two university hospitals (Amiens and Marseille, France). Results. SAPIE accounted for 14.1% of the cases of left-sided prosthetic valve endocarditis. SAPIE complications included heart failure (in 42.8% of cases), acute renal failure (in 51.4%), sepsis (in 51.4%), neurological events (in 31.4%), systemic embolic event (in 34.2%) and abscess (in 60.0%). In-hospital mortality occurred in 48.5% of SAPIE cases compared with 16% of NSAPIE cases. A comparison of the SAPIE and NSAPIE groups showed a significant difference in terms of 4-year survival (31.8 +/- 7.3% vs 60.1 +/- 4.1%; P= 0.001). Severe sepsis was the only prognostic factor associated with in-hospital mortality (odds ratio 5.7; P=0.03) and. long-term mortality (odds ratio 3.7; P=0.01) in cases of SAPIE. Sepsis-induced multiple organ dysfunction syndrome was the main cause of in-hospital mortality (70.5%). Conclusions. SAPIE is a very serious disease, with elevated in-hospital mortality resulting from sepsis-induced multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Emergency surgery is recommended in these cases, when possible, before the occurrence of complications, especially severe sepsis. (C) 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Background 18F-FDG PET/CT has recently been added as a major criterion in the ESC 2015 infective endocarditis (IE) guidelines. We and others have demonstrated that PET/CT was useful in patients with suspected prosthetic valve and cardiac device IE. However, the sensitivity and specificity of ESC classification is unknown in patients with NVIE. Purposes 1. Primary objective: to assess the value of the new ESC criteria including 18F-FDG PET/CT in native valve infective endocarditis (NVIE). 2. Secondary objectives: – to determine the usefulness of PET/CT concerning embolic or neoplastic detection; – to describe a new PET/CT feature, i.e. the diffuse splenic uptake. Methods Between 2012 and 2017, 75 patients with suspected NVIE were prospectively included, after exclusion of patients with uninterpretable or not feasible PET/CT. Using the expert consensus of the Endocarditis Team after a 3-month follow-up as gold standard, 63 IE were confirmed and 12 were rejected. Results Significant valvular uptake by PET/CT (major criterion) was observed in 11 among 63 patients with definite NVIE and no patients with rejected IE (sensitivity 18%, specificity 100%). Among the 63 patients with a final diagnosis of NVE, a peripheral embolism or mycotic aneurysm was observed in 20 cases (32%). Considering this, the ESC 2015 classification increased the sensitivity of Duke criteria from 64 to 70% (P Conclusion 1. The value of 18F-FDG PET/CT in NVE diagnosis is poor 2. Usefulness of PET/CT remains high when concerning embolic or neoplastic detection. 3. Our study describes for the first time in NVE a new potential endocarditis criterion, i.e. the presence of a diffuse splenic uptake on PET/CT.

Background Spondyslodiscitis (SP) is a rare but severe complication of infective endocarditis (IE). The indicence, clinical features and prognosis of SP in IE are unknown. Purpose The primary objective of our study was to assess the incidence, epidemiology, clinical presentation, prognosis and therapeutic implications of SP in patient with IE. The secondary objectives were to assess factors associated with occurrence of spondylitis and to assess the value of imaging techniques. Methods In a French bi-center prospective study of patients who presented in our endocarditis reference centers with a diagnosis of definite IE from 1990 to 2018 (n = 1755), 150 (8.5%) presented with SP. Patients were divided in two groups for the analysis: patients with (n = 150) and without (n = 1605) SP. Results Patients with SP were older (mean age 69 ± 18 vs. 66 ± 14, P = 0.004), had more arterial hypertension (48% vs. 33%, P Conclusion We describe the largest ever reported series of patients with SP complicating IE. SP is a more frequent complication of IE than previously reported but has similar prognosis than other forms of IE. Multimodality imaging including MRI, CT and PET/CT should be used for early diagnosis of this IE complication.

Summary Background Although intracranial cerebral haemorrhage (ICH) complicating infective endocarditis (IE) is a critical clinical issue, its characteristics, impact, and prognosis remain poorly known. Aims To assess the incidence, mechanisms, risk factors and prognosis of ICH complicating left-sided IE. Methods In this single-centre study, 963 patients with possible or definite left-sided IE were included from January 2000 to December 2015. Results Sixty-eight (7%) patients had an ICH (mean age 57 ± 13 years; 75% male). ICH was classified into three groups according to mechanism: ruptured mycotic aneurysm (n = 22; 32%); haemorrhage after ischaemic stroke (n = 27; 40%); and undetermined aetiology (n = 19; 28%). Five variables were independently associated with ICH: platelet count Conclusions ICH is a common complication of left-sided IE. The impact on prognosis is dependent on mechanism (haemorrhage of undetermined aetiology). We observed a higher mortality rate in patients who had conservative treatment when cardiac surgery was indicated compared with in those who underwent cardiac surgery.

Diagnosis of infective endocarditis (IE) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) remains difficult to establish using modified Duke criteria. We present the value of multi-imaging approach (European Society of Cardiology [ESC]-2015 modified criteria) [(1)][1] in 16 patients referred for

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text, Blood culture-negative endocarditis (BCNE) may represent up to 70% of all endocarditis cases, depending on series. From 2001 to 2009, we implemented in our laboratory a multimodal diagnostic strategy for BCNE that included systematized testing of blood, and when available, valvular biopsy specimens using serological, broad range molecular, and histopathological assays. A causative microorganism was identified in 62.7% of patients. In this study from January 2010 to December 2015, in an effort to increase the number of identified causative microorganisms, we prospectively added to our diagnostic protocol specific real-time (RT) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays targeting various endocarditis agents, and applied them to all patients with BCNE admitted to the 4 public hospitals in Marseille, France. A total of 283 patients with BCNE were included in the study. Of these, 177 were classified as having definite endocarditis. Using our new multimodal diagnostic strategy, we identified an etiology in 138 patients (78.0% of cases). Of these, 3 were not infective (2.2%) and 1 was diagnosed as having Mycobacterium bovis BCG endocarditis. By adding specific PCR assays from blood and valvular biopsies, which exhibited a significantly greater sensitivity (P

International audience; Despite advances in medical, surgical, and critical care, infective endocarditis (IE) remains associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. We evaluated the performance of the Marseille score, including clinical data and biological tests obtained within 2 h, to identify patients at high risk of IE in order to initiate early antimicrobial treatment. This was secondarily confirmed using modified ESC criteria combined with molecular testing and ((18))fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography as diagnostic tools. In a prospective cohort study, we enrolled 484 patients with cardiovascular predisposition and clinical suspicion of IE from 2011 to 2013. The final diagnosis was definite IE in 123 patients and possible IE in 107. Marseille score was calculated adding one point for each present parameter (range 0-9). This score includes clinical, epidemiological (male, fever, splenomegaly, clubbing, vascular disease and stroke) and biological criteria (Leucocytes > 10,000/mm3, sedimentation rate (SR) > 50/mm or C reactive protein > 10 mg/L and hemoglobin < 100 g/l). A score of 2 or more performed best in predicting IE in patients with predisposing heart lesions. Sensitivity was better on left-side heart lesions (94%) than on right-side heart lesions (85%) (p = 0.04) and better for valvulopathy (94%) than intra cardiac devices (84%) (p = 0.02). The predictive positive value of prosthetic valves was greater than that of native valves (p = 0.02). Using our simple Marseille score combined with our standardized diagnostic procedures would help improve IE management by focusing on early empiric treatment within 2 h of admission for patients with cardiac predisposition factors.

International audience; Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) may occur alone or associated with other diseases. To evaluate aPL, tested as anticardiolipin antibodies (IgG aCL) in infective endocarditis (IE) diagnosis, we investigated their prevalence in a cohort of 651 patients with IE suspicion. aPL was significantly associated with definite IE versus IE-rejected patients. Their mean levels were significantly higher in patients with definite IE versus possible IE. When applied as Duke minor criterion, they were significantly more often positive, and at higher levels, in patients with definite IE than in patients with possible or rejected IE. aPL could be helpful in difficult cases of IE diagnosis.

International audience; OBJECTIVE: Acute coronary syndromes (ACS) are a rare complication of infective endocarditis (IE). Only case reports and small studies have been published to date. We report the largest series of ACS in IE. The aim of our study was to describe the incidence and mechanisms of ACS associated with IE, to assess their prognostic impact and to describe their management. METHODS: In a bicentre prospective observational cohort study, all patients with a definite diagnosis of IE were prospectively included. The incidence, mechanism and prognosis of patients with ACS were studied. RESULTS: Among 1210 consecutive patients with definite IE, 26 patients (2.2%) developed an ACS. Twenty-three patients (88%) had a coronary embolism. Two patients had coronary compression by an abscess or a pseudoaneurysm and one patient had an obstruction of his bioprosthesis and left coronary ostium by a large vegetation. Nineteen (73%) patients with ACS developed heart failure and this complication was 2.5 times more frequent than in patients without ACS (p\textless0.0001). In the ACS population, mortality rate was twice than the population without ACS. CONCLUSIONS: ACS is a rare complication of IE but is associated with an increased risk of heart failure and high mortality rate.

International audience; Coxiella burnetii is an intracellular and fastidious bacterium responsible of acute and persistent Q fever infection. Endocarditis and vascular infections are the most common serious complications of acute Q fever. We report the case of a 63-year-old man that presented a mediastinitis associated with a prosthetic vascular infection. Serological cross-reaction was observed between Coxiella burnetii, the agent of Q fever, and Legionella pneumophila with higher antibodies titer for L. pneumophila (IgG = 1:512) than for C. burnetii (phase I IgG = 1:400). We performed western blot with cross-adsorption that supports the diagnosis of C. burnetii infection. Two weeks later, a positive qPCR and culture for C. burnetii on swab taken from the mediastinal cutaneous fistula confirmed the definitive microbiological diagnosis of Q fever mediastinitis. Cross-reactivity between C. burnetii and Legionella spp. has long been known and should be considered in patients with persistent infections. It is important to establish the definite diagnosis because the antibiotic treatment regimens and duration are significantly different. To the best of our knowledge, we reported here the first case of mediastinitis associated to C. burnetii and we diagnosed this persistent infection despite low anti-C. burnetii phase I IgG levels.

Molecular tools have shown an added value in the diagnosis of infectious diseases, in particular for those caused by fastidious intracellular microorganisms, or in patients receiving antibiotics before sampling. If 16S rDNA amplification had been gradually implemented in microbiology laboratories, specific real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) would have permitted an increase in the sensitivity of molecular methods and a reduction of contamination. Herein, we report our experience in the diagnosis of infectious diseases over two years, during which 32,948 clinical samples from 18,056 patients were received from France and abroad. Among these samples, 81,476 PCRs were performed, of which 1,192 were positive. Molecular techniques detected intracellular microorganisms in 31.3 % of respiratory samples, 27.8 % of endocarditis samples and 51.9 % of adenitis samples. Excluding intracellular bacteria, 25 % of the positive samples in this series were sterile in culture. Conventional broad-range PCR permitted the identification of fastidious and anaerobic microorganisms, but specific real-time PCR showed a significant superiority in the diagnosis of osteoarticular infections, in particular for those caused by Kingella kingae and Staphylococcus aureus, and for endocarditis diagnosis, specifically when Streptococcus gallolyticus and Staphylococcus aureus were involved. The sensitivity of conventional broad-range PCR was 62.9 % concerning overall diagnoses for which both techniques had been performed. These findings should lead microbiologists to focus on targeted specific real-time PCR regarding the clinical syndrome. Finally, syndrome-driven diagnosis, which consists of testing a panel of microorganisms commonly involved for each syndrome, permitted the establishment of 31 incidental diagnoses.

Objectives This study sought to determine the value of 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ( 18 F-FDG PET/CT) for diagnosing prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE). Background The diagnosis of PVE remains challenging. In PVE cases, initial echocardiography is normal or inconclusive in almost 30%, leading to a decreased diagnostic accuracy for the modified Duke criteria. Methods We prospectively studied 72 consecutive patients suspected of having PVE. All of the patients were subjected to clinical, microbiological, and echocardiographic evaluation. Cardiac PET/CT was performed at admission. The final diagnosis was defined according to the clinical and/or pathological modified Duke criteria determined during a 3-month follow-up. Results Thirty-six patients (50%) exhibited abnormal FDG uptake around the site of the prosthetic valve. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and global accuracy were as follows (95% confidence interval): 73% (54% to 87%), 80% (56% to 93%), 85% (64% to 95%), 67% (45% to 84%), and 76% (63% to 86%), respectively. Adding abnormal FDG uptake around the prosthetic valve as a new major criterion significantly increased the sensitivity of the modified Duke criteria at admission (70% [52% to 83%] vs. 97% [83% to 99%], p = 0.008). This result was due to a significant reduction (p l 0.0001) in the number of possible PVE cases from 40 (56%) to 23 (32%). Conclusions The use of 18 F-FDG PET/CT was helpful for diagnosing PVE. The results of this study support the addition of abnormal FDG uptake as a novel major criterion for PVE.

Background Immunoglobulin G (IgG) anticardiolipin (aCL) antibodies are associated with valvulopathy and endocarditis in patients with lupus and other diseases. During acute Q fever, high IgG aCL prevalence has been reported, but the clinical significance remains unknown. Methods To test if increased IgG aCL at acute Q fever diagnosis is associated with an increased risk of progression to endocarditis, all patients diagnosed in the French National Referral Center for Q fever from January 2007 to December 2011 were included and followed regularly until January 2013 in a 5-year prospective cohort study. Q fever endocarditis was defined according to recently updated criteria. Results Seventy-two patients were followed for a median time of 31 months (interquartile range, 18-47 months). Of these, 13 patients with valvulopathy without antibiotic prophylaxis progressed to endocarditis. IgG aCL levels were highly prevalent (57%) and significantly higher in the presence of a valvulopathy (P = .005). Using Cox regression analysis, highly increased levels of IgG aCL (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR], 12.95; 95% confidence interval, 2.85-58.95; P = .001) and high levels of phase II immunoglobulin M (IgM; AHR, 6.59; 95% CI, 1.37-31.62; P = .018) were the only independent predictors of progression to endocarditis. Conclusions Rapid progression from acute Q fever to endocarditis is associated with high levels of IgG aCL and high levels of phase II IgM, findings that should be critical in the prevention of endocarditis.

We report a case illustrating the potential use of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (PET/CT) for the diagnosis of infective endocarditis (IE) in an 84-y-old woman who had a history of chronic left knee osteitis and a mitral cardiac valve bioprosthesis replacement and a pacemaker. She developed a polymicrobial knee infection 15 days after her total knee replacement. Transoesophageal echocardiography showed a new mitral regurgitation, but no vegetation or abscess. PET/CT showed hypermetabolic hyperactivity around the mitral cardiac valve prosthesis and the intracardiac pacemaker leads. We found 17 case reports and 2 case series of IE in which PET/CT showed encouraging results for the detection of IE. PET/CT may be used in patients with a suspicion of IE who do not have echocardiographic evidence of IE. It may also be useful for identifying the portal of entry of an infection and for identifying secondary foci (mycotic aneurysm).

International audience; Objectives: Much progress has been made in understanding the main causes of blood culture-negative endocarditis (BCNE). Few studies concerning BCNE treatment (due to previous antibiotics used or fastidious pathogens) are available. We performed this study to evaluate the effectiveness of our therapeutic protocol in BCNE, based on compliance with the protocol, outcome and 1 year mortality. Patients and methods: We collected prospectively and analysed retrospectively cases of BCNE between 2002 and 2014, using a simplified and standardized protocol developed by our multidisciplinary team. We apply two kinds of protocols to treat BCNE, which include only four intravenous antimicrobial agents: amoxicillin, vancomycin, gentamicin and amphotericin B. Results: We had 177 patients with definite BCNE. There were 154 (87.0%) patients treated with both appropriate antimicrobial agents and appropriate duration of treatment. We analysed the causes of inappropriate treatment in 13 (7.3%) cases and inappropriate duration in 10 (5.6%) cases. The treatment changes were justified in all cases except one of discharge against medical advice. The fatality rate was 5.1% (nine cases) and all deaths occurred in the group of patients who were treated with appropriate treatment; however, four deaths were not attributable to empirical treatment failure. Concerning the other deaths, the lack of surgical management, in association with empirical treatment, could explain our protocol's failure, such as poorly tolerated surgery. Conclusions: Our protocol is efficient and our mortality rate was low, compared with the literature review. This may result from a strategy that uses a sampling procedure and a standardized protocol at the same time.

a Departement de Cardiologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Timone, Assistance Publique Hopitaux de Marseille, Aix-Marseille Universite, France b URMITE, CNRS-UMR 6236, Faculte de Medecine, Aix-Marseille Universite, France c Service de Chirurgie Cardiaque, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Timone, Assistance Publique Hopitaux de Marseille, Aix-Marseille Universite, France d Departement de Cardiologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire d'Amiens, France e INSERM, ERI 12, Amiens, France f Laboratoire de Microbiologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Timone, Assistance Publique Hopitaux de Marseille, Aix-Marseille Universite, France g Departement de Chirurgie Cardiaque, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire d'Amiens, France h Departement d'Anesthesie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire d'Amiens, France

Neisseria macacae is a Gram-negative diplococcus, found in the oropharynx of healthy Rhesus Monkeys. Infections caused by N. macacae in humans are extremely rare. We present here the first case of N. macacae infective endocarditis in a 65-year-old man with a native aortic valve infection complicated by a peri-aortic abscess. N. macacae was isolated from blood culture and was found on the cardiac valve using 16S rDNA detection. Despite an appropriate antibiotic therapy, and aortic homograft replacement, and mitral repair, the patient died 4 days after surgery from a massive hemorrhagic stroke.

A 72-year-old man was referred because of suspected infective endocarditis. Fifteen years earlier, he had undergone mitral valve replacement with a 33-mm Hancock valve for severe mitral regurgitation. Three months ago, he presented with a first episode of congestive heart failure caused by severe mitral regurgitation reflecting degeneration of the bioprosthetic valve without sign of endocarditis. Because of a high surgical risk based on an estimated Euroscore I of 42.96% and The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) score of 29% (main comorbidity is an advanced Parkinson disease), valve-in-valve implantation was planned. A 29-mm Edwards Sapien 3 (S3) balloon-expandable valve was successfully implanted through transapical puncture of the left ventricle (LV) after direct surgical exposure by mini thoracotomy. Patient was discharged 10 days after the procedure without complications. On his admission, the patient was febrile and examination revealed a purulent discharge at the site of thoracotomy. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography showed a 15-mm mobile vegetation on the leaflet of the S3 (Movie I in the Data Supplement) and a pseudoaneurysm at the apex of the left ventricle (LVPA) flowing by a large apical defect (Figure 1; Movie II in the Data Supplement). Computed tomographic (CT) scanning confirmed the LVPA free from any thrombus and identified the surgical suture tip in its deep (Figures 1 and 2; Movie III in the Data Supplement). 18F positron-emission tomography demonstrated an uptake on the S3 and LVPA (Figure 2). Blood cultures were positive for Staphylococcus aureus . Antibiotherapy with co-trimoxazole for 6 weeks and clindamycin for 1 week was started, and a quick clinical and biological …

Background Host factors and complications have been associated with higher mortality in infective endocarditis ( IE ). We sought to develop and validate a model of clinical characteristics to predict 6‐month mortality in IE . Methods and Results Using a large multinational prospective registry of definite IE (International Collaboration on Endocarditis [ ICE ]–Prospective Cohort Study [ PCS ], 2000–2006, n=4049), a model to predict 6‐month survival was developed by Cox proportional hazards modeling with inverse probability weighting for surgery treatment and was internally validated by the bootstrapping method. This model was externally validated in an independent prospective registry ( ICE ‐ PLUS , 2008–2012, n=1197). The 6‐month mortality was 971 of 4049 (24.0%) in the ICE ‐ PCS cohort and 342 of 1197 (28.6%) in the ICE ‐ PLUS cohort. Surgery during the index hospitalization was performed in 48.1% and 54.0% of the cohorts, respectively. In the derivation model, variables related to host factors (age, dialysis), IE characteristics (prosthetic or nosocomial IE , causative organism, left‐sided valve vegetation), and IE complications (severe heart failure, stroke, paravalvular complication, and persistent bacteremia) were independently associated with 6‐month mortality, and surgery was associated with a lower risk of mortality (Harrell's C statistic 0.715). In the validation model, these variables had similar hazard ratios (Harrell's C statistic 0.682), with a similar, independent benefit of surgery (hazard ratio 0.74, 95% CI 0.62–0.89). A simplified risk model was developed by weight adjustment of these variables. Conclusions Six‐month mortality after IE is ≈25% and is predicted by host factors, IE characteristics, and IE complications. Surgery during the index hospitalization is associated with lower mortality but is performed less frequently in the highest risk patients. A simplified risk model may be used to identify specific risk subgroups in IE .

Aims Whole body imaging with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) has proven useful in various infectious diseases. The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the diagnostic yield of FDG PET/CT in patients with cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infection. Methods and results A total of 21 patients with CIED infection were prospectively included. Diagnosis of CIED infection was made in accordance with current criteria. It was classified in three categories, i.e. superficial skin infection, pocket site infection, or cardiac device-related infective endocarditis (CDRIE). All patients underwent FDG PET/CT. Scans were interpreted blindly, i.e. without prior knowledge of diagnosis, by experienced nuclear medicine physicians. The accuracy of FDG PET/CT was assessed for each diagnostic category. Findings demonstrated superficial skin infection in 1 patient, pocket site infection in 15, and CDRIE in 13 (definite: 7; possible: 6). In patients with pocket site infection, the sensitivity and specificity of FDG PET/CT were 86.7% [59.5–98.3, 95% confidence interval (CI)] and 100% [42.1–100, 95% CI]. The only patient with superficial skin infection was accurately identified by FDG PET/CT. The sensitivity and specificity of FDG PET/CT in patients with CDRIE were 30.8% [9.1–61.4, 95% CI] and 62.5% [24.5–91.5, 95% CI]. Most false-negative results occurred in patients who had undergone previous antimicrobial treatment. Conclusion This study indicates that FDG PET/CT is highly accurate for the diagnosis of skin and pocket CIED infection but low for infective endocarditis. This suggests that the reliability of FDG PET/CT findings in management decision making varies according to the type of CIED infection.

Background Mortality and morbidity associated with infective endocarditis may extend beyond successful treatment. The primary objective was to analyze rates, temporal changes, and predictors of excess mortality in patients surviving the acute phase of endocarditis. The secondary objective was to determine the rate of recurrence and the need for late cardiac surgery. Methods An observational cohort study was conducted at a university-affiliated tertiary medical center, among 328 patients who survived the active phase of endocarditis. We used age-, sex-, and calendar year–specific mortality hazard rates of the Bouches-du-Rhone French district population to calculate expected survival and excess mortality. The risk of recurrence and late valve surgery was also assessed. Result Compared with expected survival, patients surviving a first episode of endocarditis had significantly worse outcomes ( P = .001). The relative survival rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 92% (95% CI, 88%-95%), 86% (95% CI, 77%-92%), and 82% (95% CI, 59%-91%), respectively. This excess mortality was observed during the entire follow-up period but was the highest during the first year after hospital discharge. Most of the recurrences and late cardiac surgeries also occurred during this period. Women exhibited a higher risk of age-adjusted excess mortality (adjusted excess hazard ratio, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.05-3.82; P = .03). Comorbidity index, recurrence of endocarditis, and history of an aortic valve endocarditis in women were independent predictors of excess mortality. Conclusions These results justify close monitoring of patients after successful treatment of endocarditis, at least during the first year. Special attention should be paid to women with aortic valve damage.

To assess long-term outcomes and predictors of mortality in patients treated according to current recommendations for cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infection.Two-group matched cohort study.Tertiary-care institution.Consecutive patients admitted for CIED infection between 2004 and 2008 were prospectively enrolled. Study subjects were matched to a cohort of uninfected CIED patients by age, sex and type of device.In all infected patients, the therapeutic approach consisted of complete hardware removal whenever possible, antimicrobial therapy, and implantation of a new device, if indicated. Patients were systematically followed, with standardised outcomes assessment.All-cause mortality and predictors of long-term mortality.197 patients were included and matched 1:1 to controls. Pocket infections were present in 41.1% and definite or suspected infective endocarditis in 58.9%. Total or subtotal hardware removal was achieved in 98.5% of cases. Median follow up was 25 months (12-70). Mortality rates in the study group and controls were 14.3% vs 11.0% (NS) at 1 year and 35.4% vs 27.0% (p=NS) at 5 years. Independent predictors of long-term mortality were older age (HR=1.09, p0.001), cardiac resynchronisation therapy (HR=3.70, p=0.001), thrombocytopenia (HR=5.10, p=0.003) and renal insufficiency (HR=2.66, p=0.006). In patients with reimplanted devices, epicardial right ventricular pacemakers were associated with higher mortality (HR=2.85, p=0.034).In patients with CIED infection managed by recommended therapy, long-term mortality rates are similar to comparable controls. Independent predictors include patient and disease-related factors, in addition to implantation of right ventricular epicardial pacemakers.

A 72-year-old man was referred for suspected cardiac-device-related infective-endocarditis with empirical antibiotherapy for 1 week. History reports colovesical-fistulae surgery and Escherichia coli prostatitis, respectively, 1 year and 4 weeks before, previous atrial fibrillation catheter-ablation

Background Infective endocarditis (IE) is a severe disease requiring early diagnosis and treatment. Although echocardiography (ECHO) is the key diagnostic method, CT-scan (CT) has recently been added as a new ESC diagnostic criterion. However, published data are scarce and included few patients. Purpose To assess the additional value of CT over ECHO for the diagnosis of IE. Methods Between 2014 and 2017, 246 pts with suspected IE underwent both ECHO and CT. Using the expert consensus of the Endocarditis Team after a 3-month follow-up as gold standard, 222 IE were confirmed (112 native [NVE] and 110 prosthetic [PVE]) and 24 were rejected. The primary end-point was the comparison between ECHO and cardiac CT (CCT) findings. The secondary end-point was the change in diagnostic criteria sensitivity and specificity associated with the addition of CT results. Results Among the 110 cases of definite PVE, Vegetations were found in 49 (44%) pts by ECHO and 45 (40%) by CCT (agreement in 71 [64%] pts). Periannular lesions were found in 33 (30%) pts by ECHO and 46 (41%) by CCT (agreement in 86 [77%] pts). CCT found a new cardiac lesion missed by ECHO in 10 (9%) pts. Among the 112 cases of definite NVE, Vegetations were found in 84 (76%) pts by ECHO and 90 (81%) by CCT (agreement in 84 [76%] pts). Periannular lesions were found in 34 (30%) pts by ECHO and 29 (26%) by CCT (agreement in 58 [52%] pts). CCT found a new cardiac lesion missed by ECHO in 3 (3%) pts. Including CT findings as major and minor criteria increased the sensitivity of Duke criteria from 60 to 70% in 124 suspected PVE, and from 73 to 80% in 122 suspected NVE, without significant decrease in specificity. Conclusions This study is the largest prospective study assessing the value of CT in the diagnosis of IE. Adding CT findings significantly increases the sensitivity of Duke criteria, both in NVE and PVE. Our results support the use of ESC criteria including CT rather than Duke criteria.

Objectives We sought to determine the incidence, diagnostic value, and outcome of intracardiac masses observed by echocardiography after device removal. We hypothesized that these “ghosts” of leads could be associated with the diagnosis of cardiac device–related infective endocarditis (CDRIE). Background The echocardiographic appearance of residual floating masses in the right atrium after removal of permanent pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators was recently described. However, the significance of these ghosts and their relationship with CDRIE are unknown. Methods The pre-operative clinical, microbiological, and echocardiographic conditions; the indication; and the removal technique were analyzed in a retrospective cohort including all consecutive patients who underwent percutaneous lead removal. Three groups were formed according to the final diagnosis: CDRIE, local device infection, and noninfectious indications. The incidence of ghosts was compared among the 3 groups. All clinical, infectious, and extraction-related factors were studied for their association with ghosts. All patients with ghosts were followed after hospitalization. Results Two hundred twelve patients underwent lead removal. Ghosts were observed in 17 patients (8% incidence), including 14 (16%) of 88 patients with CDRIE and 3 (5%) of 59 patients with local device infection. Ghosts were never observed among the remaining 65 noninfected patients. A significant association was found between CDRIE and the presence of a ghost (odds ratio: 7.63, 95% confidence interval: 2.12 to 27.45, p = 0.001). At 3 months, 2 patients with ghosts died suddenly, 2 underwent surgery, and 1 had a pulmonary embolism. Conclusions Ghosts are observed in 8% of patients after percutaneous device extraction. Their presence is suggestive of device infection and seems to be associated with the diagnosis of CDRIE. The prognostic significance of such findings needs further investigation.

To analyse characteristics and outcomes of infective endocarditis (IE) on bicuspid aortic valves (BAV) and to compare the risk of death according to the presence or absence of BAV.5-year observational study.Population of 856 patients with definite IE according to the Duke criteria from two tertiary centres (Amiens and Marseille, France).310 consecutive patients with definite native aortic valve IE enrolled between 1991 and 2007.Patients underwent transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography during hospitalisation. Surgery was performed on a case-by-case basis according to conventional guidelines.In-hospital mortality and 5-year overall mortality.Patients with BAV IE (n=50, 16%) were younger, had fewer comorbidities and a higher frequency of aortic perivalvular abscess (50%). Presence of BAV (OR 3.79 (1.97-7.28); p0.001) was independently predictive of abscess formation. Early surgery was performed in 36 BAV patients (72%) with a peri-operative mortality of 8.3%, comparable to that of patients with tricuspid aortic valve IE (p=0.89). BAV was not independently predictive of in-hospital mortality (OR 0.89 (0.28-2.85); p=0.84) or 5-year survival (HR 0.71 (0.37-1.36); p=0.30). Age, comorbidities, heart failure, Staphylococcus aureus and uncontrolled infection were associated with increased 5-year mortality in BAV patients.BAV is frequent in adults with native aortic valve IE. Patients with BAV IE incur high risk of abscess formation and require early surgery in almost three-quarters of cases. IE is a severe complication in the setting of BAV and warrants prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Context Early prosthetic valve endocarditis is a deadly disease and blood cultures remain negative in 14-30% of cases. Objectives To analyse the clinical and microbiological profile of patients with blood culture-negative (BCN) early prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) in order to define the most appropriate empiric treatment. Design, Setting and Participants From June 2001 to February 2009, a prospective multimodal strategy incorporating serological, molecular and histopathological assays was performed in all the samples referred to the laboratory for a suspicion of blood culture-negative endocarditis (BCNE) from France and abroad (n=718). A total of 31 patients with BCN early PVE was identified. Their microbiological profile was compared with that of 22 patients with blood culture-positive (BCP) early PVE and 628 patients with community-acquired BCNE identified during the same period. Results A pathogen was identified in 10 patients (32%) with BCN early PVE. Fungi were the most common pathogens identified, being found in 16% versus 4.5% in the case of PBC early PVE and 0.5% in community-acquired BCNE (p

Aims To determine whether the timing of surgery could influence mortality and morbidity in adults with complicated infective endocarditis (IE). Methods and results In 291 consecutive adults with definite IE who underwent surgery during the active phase, we compared those operated on within the first week of antimicrobial therapy ( n = 95) to those operated on later ( n = 191). The impact of the timing of surgery on 6-month mortality, relapses, and postoperative valvular dysfunctions (PVD) was analysed using propensity score (PS) analyses. After stratification of the cohort into quintiles based on the PS, ≤1st week surgery was associated with a trend of decrease in 6-month mortality in the quintile of patients with the most likelihood of undergoing this early surgical management [quintile 5: 11% vs. 33%, odds ratio (OR) = 0.18, 95% CI (confidence interval) 0.04–0.83, P = 0.03]. Patients of this subgroup were younger, were more likely to have Staphylococcus aureus infections, congestive heart failure, and larger vegetations. Besides, ≤1st week surgery was associated with an increased number of relapses or PVD (16% vs. 4%, adjusted OR = 2.9, 95% CI 0.99–8.40, P = 0.05). Conclusion Surgery performed very early may improve survival in patients with the most severe complicated IE. However, a greater risk of relapses and PVD should be expected when surgery is performed very early.

According to microbiological findings, more categories of endocarditis are identified. The list of microbial agents for endocarditis is vast and different from a country to another. The respective prevalence varies according to the status of the patient and the environment. We can distinguish nosocomial causes, traditional agents, zoonosis and addiction.

The management of infective endocarditis (IE) may differ from international guidelines, even in reference centres. This is probably due to the fact that the consensus obtained for the guidelines does not represent actual practices. Because of that, we propose a different approach for therapeutic guidelines based on the experience of Marseille’s centre in the management of IE since 20 years rather than using consensual recommendations.

Background Surgical treatment of active aortic infective endocarditis is challenging, and the type of prosthesis to be implanted during the active phase remains controversial. Methods All consecutive patients with definite diagnosis of aortic infective endocarditis operated on during the active phase were included. Endpoints were in-hospital mortality and a combined endpoint including infective endocarditis recurrence, prostheses dysfunction, or long-term cardiovascular mortality. Results Among 127 consecutive patients, mean age 57 ± 15 years, 87% male, 30% with preexisting aortic prosthesis, and 63 (50%) with annulus abscess, 54 (43%) were treated with aortic homograft and 73 (57%) with conventional prosthesis. Median time between diagnosis and surgery was 10 days. In-hospital mortality was 9%, not different between homograft and conventional prostheses (11% versus 8%, p[ = 0.6). By multivariable analysis, prosthetic valve endocarditis (8.5 95% confidence interval: 2.2 to 33.6, ]p = 0.001) was the only variable independently associated with in-hospital mortality, which was not influenced by type valvular substitute ( p = 0.6), even in the subset with annulus abscess ( p = 0.2). Ten-year survival free from the combined endpoint was 44% ± 10%, not different between homograft and conventional prostheses (log rank p = 0.2). By multivariable analysis, comorbidity index (2.6 [1.05 to 6.3], p = 0.04) and prosthetic valve endocarditis (2.3 [1.2 to 4.6], p = 0.02) were independently predictive of the combined endpoint, which was not determined by type of valvular substitute ( p = 0.6) even in the subset with annulus abscess ( p = 0.5). Conclusions Implantation of conventional prostheses during the active phase of aortic endocarditis yields similar low operative mortality and long-term prognosis as compared with aortic homografts, even in patients with annulus abscess.