Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients with Infective Endocarditis in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital

Abstract

Background and Aim: Infective Endocarditis (IE) is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening heart condition that requires urgent clinical intervention. Recent studies however showed that the incidence may not be as rare as was previously thought and that rheumatic heart disease (RHD), a major risk factor for IE, is still a major cardiovascular burden in Nigeria. This study aimed at assessing the incidence, clinical profiles as well as the outcomes of patients with infective endocarditis in an urban tertiary hospital in Nigeria. Methods: A retrospective review of all patients admitted through the medical emergency unit of the hospital and managed in the medical wards from August 2014 to July 2019 was done. Patients with definite Infective endocarditis were identified using the modified Duke’s criteria. Their clinical profiles and outcomes were retrieved, recorded and analyzed using the statistical product and service solutions (SPSS) 20.0 version software. Results: A total of 7,875 patients were admitted and treated over this period comprising of 3,977 (50.5%) males and 3,898 (49.5%) females. The diagnosis of possible Infective endocarditis was made in 26 patients and definite IE in 7 of the patients which represented 0.09% of the study population. The male to female ratio was 3 (43%): 4(57%). The age ranged from 14 to 67 years and the commonest symptom was febrile syndrome while the rarest was classic peripheral signs of bacterial endocarditis. Mortality was seen in 2 (29%) of the patients. The commonest isolated organism was Staphylococcus aureus.            Conclusion: This study concluded that Infective Endocarditis is not as rare as previously thought and still contributes to mortality on the medical ward.