Objectives: Infective endocarditis is common and data regarding its pattern and outcome from developing countries is sparse. We therefore examined the spectrum, demographics and clinical features of infective endocarditis and sought to determine the factors affecting its clinical outcome.
Patients and methods: Over a five-year period at our university hospital in Karachi, Pakistan, we identified 66 patients with infective endocarditis and compared their clinicoepidemiologic features and outcomes to subjects in the West.
Results: The male:female ratio was 2:1; overall median age was 24 years (35.5 years for men and 13.5 years for women) (pp=0.055). Risk factors for mortality included neurologic (p=0.003) and embolic (p=0.02) complications, renal (p=0.03) and left ventricular failure (p=0.002), and a history of cardiac surgery (p=0.026). Overall mortality was 27%.
Conclusions: Patients with infective endocarditis in Pakistan exhibit significant differences compared to their counterparts in the West, including younger age at presentation, incidence of predisposing cardiac conditions, and gender differences reflecting sociocultural bias. Neurologic and embolic complications, renal failure and heart failure predict a worse outcome.