Abstract

SERRA VALDES, Miguel; LóPEZ ESPINOSA, Ezequiel; FERRAS MARTINEZ, Alfredo  and  FABRA AGUIRRE, Gloria. Anatomical Findings in Patients with Infective Endocarditis Diagnosed at Autopsy. Medisur [online]. 2013, vol.11, n.6, pp.638-646. ISSN 1727-897X.

Background: Infective endocarditis continues to challenge modern medicine despite its rare occurrence in the general population. Its incidence depends on risk groups. Correlation of anatomical and pathological findings with clinical and epidemiological elements may explain the current features of this condition. Objective: to describe the anatomical features of patients with infective endocarditis diagnosed at autopsy. Methods: A descriptive study including cases of infective endocarditis diagnosed at autopsy between 1986 and 2008 was conducted in the Provincial Clinical-Surgical Hospital Celia Sanchez, Granma. The variables analyzed were: age, sex, previous anatomical lesions, location of vegetations, multi-organ embolic infarcts and embolic abscesses, complications, culture of lesions and direct causes of death. Results: frequency of infective endocarditis diagnosed at necropsy ranged annually from 0.4 to 1.5%. Native valve endocarditis without previous damage was the most frequent. The anatomical findings were more common in the left side of the heart. Right-sided nosocomial endocarditis accounted for almost a third of the deceased patients and risk factors were identified. Embolic lesions affecting various organs, systemic complications and direct causes of death showed acute infectious endocarditis. The most common pathogen was Staphylococcus aureus. Conclusion: knowing the anatomical findings may contribute to the understanding of the clinical and epidemiological aspects of this condition. Correlation between anatomical and clinical findings was low; therefore difficulties in establishing the diagnosis during life are inferred.

Keywords : endocarditis, bacterial; staphylococcal infections; staphylococcus aureus; diagnosis; autopsy.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )