Abstract:

In this study, we retrospectively evaluated the underlying risk factors, clinical and laboratory findings, treatment approaches, anticoagulation therapy experiences, and the complications that arose during the follow-up of patients diagnosed with infective endocarditis in our clinic between 2010–2018. Eleven patients with infective endocarditis were evaluated. The relevant features of the patients whom developed complications, given anticoagulant therapy in addition to antibiotherapy, underwent cardiac surgery, and  showed a mortality course were determined. The youngest patient was 7 months old and the oldest was 14 years old (7.5 ± 4.6 years). All of the cases had congenital heart anomalies and there were no cases with rheumatic heart disease. A total of eight patients had embolic findings. Echocardiography showed vegetation in nine patients. In addition to antibiotherapy, anticoagulant treatment was applied to 2 patients. The most common microorganism in the blood culture was coagulase negative staphylococci with five cases. Five patients underwent early surgical treatment, one patient died due to multiple organ failure caused by systemic embolization, and one patient died due to sudden hemodynamic instability in the first week of follow-up. Infective endocarditis is a serious disease with life-threatening complications. In children, the main underlying risk factor is congenital heart disease unlike with adults. Once the diagnosis is made, appropriate antibiotherapy should be initiated as soon as possible to prevent septic embolism and mortality. The role of anticoagulation in the prevention of embolism and the treatment of ischemic stroke remains controversial.

Keywords: