Presentation and outcome of infective endocarditis in Spain: a retrospective study

Summary Objective To analyze cases of infective endocarditis in patients who attended the Hospital General de Castellon, Spain, between 1999 and 2004. Methods This was a retrospective study. Demographic and clinical characteristics were assessed, variation in presentation over time was analyzed, and factors influencing outcome were determined. Results A total of 54 cases in 48 patients were included; 33 (61%) were in men. The median patient age was 62 years. Infective endocarditis occurred on a native valve in 36 cases (67%), a mechanical prosthetic valve in 12 (22%), and a pacemaker in six (11%). The mitral valve was the most commonly affected site. Transthoracic and/or transesophageal ech…