Infective endocarditis in patients with heart transplantation

Background: The incidence of nosocomial and health care-related infective endocarditis (IE) is increasing. Heart transplantation (HT) implies immunosuppression and frequent health care contact. Our aim was to describe the current profile and prognosis of IE in HT recipients. Methods: Multicenter retrospective registry-based study in Spain and France that included cases between 2008 and 2019. Results: During the study period, 8305 HT were performed in Spain and France. We identified 18 IE cases (rate 0.2%). Median age was 57 years; 12 were men (67%). Valve involvement did not have a predominant location and three patients (16.7%) had atrial or ventricular vegetations without valve involvement. The median age adjusted Charlson index was 4 (interquartile range 3-5). Eleven IE cases (61%) were nosocomial/health care related. Median time (range) between HT and development of IE was 43 months (interquartile range 6-104). The major pathogens were Staphylococcus sp. (n = 8, 44%), Enterococcus sp. (n = 4, 22%), and Aspergillus sp. (n = 3, 17%). Although eight patients (44%) had a surgical indication, it was only performed in three cases (17%). Three patients (17%) died during the first IE hospital admission. Conclusions: IE in HT recipients has specific characteristics. Valve involvement does not have a predominant location and non-valvular involvement is common. Three fifths have a nosocomial/health care-related origin. The major pathogens were staphylococci (44%), enterococci (22%), and Aspergillus (17%). In-hospital mortality was 17%. (c) 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Infective endocarditis in heart transplant recipients presents with specific characteristics, with non-valvular involvement being common and valve involvement not having a predominant location. Three fifths of cases have a nosocomial or health care-related origin. The major pathogens include staphylococci, enterococci, and Aspergillus, with an in-hospital mortality rate of 17%.