Clinical and echocardiographic risk factors for embolism and mortality in infective endocarditis

Data about predictors of embolism in patients with infective endocarditis (IE) are conflicting. This study aimed to investigate clinical and transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) characteristics in predicting embolism and six-month mortality. In this observational cohort study, 216 patients with definite left-sided IE, according to the modified Duke criteria, were prospectively recruited. All patients underwent TEE. ‘Any embolism’ was defined as embolism before or after initiation of antimicrobial therapy; ‘new embolism’ included embolism after initiation of antimicrobial therapy. Sixty-two of 216 patients (29%) experienced any embolism. New embolism occurred in 12 patients (6%), 7 of which were postoperative. Factors significantly associated with any embolism were community origin of IE and the etiologic microorganism, in particular staphylococci and nonviridans streptococci. Vegetation length >10 mm showed a trend towards association with new embolism and a mobile vegetation was predictive for new embolism. Six-month mortality was 24% (52/216). In multivariable analysis, age, vegetation length >10 mm, Staphylococcus aureus, and the type of treatment predicted mortality. Multiple emboli showed a trend towards association with death. In conclusion, any embolism occurred in over a fourth of patients. A mobile vegetation was significantly associated with new embolism, and vegetation length >10 mm tended to be associated with new embolism. Vegetation length >10 mm predicted six-month mortality, and multiple emboli showed a trend towards association with death.