Clinical aspects and short-term prognosis in a cohort of patients with infective endocarditis, São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients with infective endocarditis (IE) admitted to a tertiary hospital in Brazil, in-hospital mortality and predictors of readmission and mortality up to six months after hospital discharge. Method: A retrospective cohort study, with data collected from medical records of patients with diagnosis of IE hospitalized during the study period. For comparative statistical analysis, patients were grouped according to survival and death outcomes. Results: A total of 204 patients participated in the study. Healthcare-associated IE accounted for 62.3% of cases, with Staphylococcus aureus as the predominant pathogen. Mortality was significantly associated with complications such heart failure and septic shock (p < 0.001). Diabetes mellitus (OR 7.76; p < 0.001) and acute kidney injury (OR 7.99; p = 0.016) were independent risk factors for hospital readmission. Overall mortality was 50.9%. Conclusion: Short-term mortality was high. Healthcare-associated infections were predominant, and complications and comorbidities significantly affect mortality in IE patients. Identifying high-risk patients and optimizing management may improve outcomes.