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RESUMEN Introducción: El número creciente de estudios ecocardiográficos y la necesidad de cumplir rigurosamente con las recomendaciones de guías internacionales de cuantificación, ha llevado a que los cardiólogos deban realizar tareas sumamente extensas y repetitivas, como parte de la interpretación y análisis de cantidades de información cada vez más abrumadoras. Novedosas técnicas de machine learning (ML), diseñadas para reconocer imágenes y realizar mediciones en las vistas adecuadas, están siendo cada vez más utilizadas para responder a esta necesidad evidente de automatización de procesos. Objetivos: Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar un modelo alternativo de interpretación y análisis de estudios ecocardiográficos, basado fundamentalmente en la utilización de software de ML, capaz de identificar y clasificar vistas y realizar mediciones estandarizadas de forma automática. Material y métodos: Se utilizaron imágenes obtenidas en 2000 sujetos normales, libres de enfermedad, de los cuales 1800 fueron utilizados para desarrollar los algoritmos de ML y 200 para su validación posterior. Primero, una red neuronal convolucional fue desarrollada para reconocer 18 vistas ecocardiográficas estándar y clasificarlas de acuerdo con 8 grupos (stacks) temáticos. Los resultados de la identificación automática fueron comparados con la clasificación realizada por expertos. Luego, algoritmos de ML fueron desarrollados para medir automáticamente 16 parámetros de eco Doppler de evaluación clínica habitual, los cuales fueron comparados con las mediciones realizadas por un lector experto. Finalmente, comparamos el tiempo necesario para completar el análisis de un estudio ecocardiográfico con la utilización de métodos manuales convencionales, con el tiempo necesario con el empleo del modelo que incorpora ML en la clasificación de imágenes y mediciones ecocardiográficas iniciales. La variabilidad inter e intraobservador también fue analizada. Resultados: La clasificación automática de vistas fue posible en menos de 1 segundo por estudio, con una precisión de 90 % en imágenes 2D y de 94 % en imágenes Doppler. La agrupación de imágenes en stacks tuvo una precisión de 91 %, y fue posible completar dichos grupos con las imágenes necesarias en 99% de los casos. La concordancia con expertos fue excelente, con diferencias similares a las observadas entre dos lectores humanos. La incorporación de ML en la clasificación y medición de imágenes ecocardiográficas redujo un 41 % el tiempo de análisis y demostró menor variabilidad que la metodología de interpretación convencional. Conclusión: La incorporación de técnicas de ML puede mejorar significativamente la reproducibilidad y eficiencia de las interpretaciones y mediciones ecocardiográficas. La implementación de este tipo de tecnologías en la práctica clínica podría resultar en reducción de costos y aumento en la satisfacción del personal médico.
ABSTRACT Background: The growing number of echocardiographic tests and the need for strict adherence to international quantification guidelines have forced cardiologists to perform highly extended and repetitive tasks when interpreting and analyzing increasingly overwhelming amounts of data. Novel machine learning (ML) techniques, designed to identify images and perform measurements at relevant visits, are becoming more common to meet this obvious need for process automation. Objectives: Our objective was to evaluate an alternative model for the interpretation and analysis of echocardiographic tests mostly based on the use of ML software in order to identify and classify views and perform standardized measurements automatically. Methods: Images came from 2000 healthy subjects, 1800 of whom were used to develop ML algorithms and 200 for subsequent validation. First, a convolutional neural network was developed in order to identify 18 standard echocardiographic views and classify them based on 8 thematic groups (stacks). The results of automatic identification were compared to classification by experts. Later, ML algorithms were developed to automatically measure 16 Doppler scan parameters for regular clinical evaluation, which were compared to measurements by an expert reader. Finally, we compared the time required to complete the analysis of an echocardiographic test using conventional manual methods with the time needed when using the ML model to classify images and perform initial echocardiographic measurements. Inter- and intra-observer variability was also analyzed. Results: Automatic view classification was possible in less than 1 second per test, with a 90% accuracy for 2D images and a 94% accuracy for Doppler scan images. Stacking images had a 91% accuracy, and it was possible to complete the groups with any necessary images in 99% of cases. Expert agreement was outstanding, with discrepancies similar to those found between two human readers. Applying ML to echocardiographic imaging classification and measurement reduced time of analysis by 41% and showed lower variability than conventional reading methods. Conclusion: Application of ML techniques may significantly improve reproducibility and efficiency of echocardiographic interpretations and measurements. Using this type of technologies in clinical practice may lead to reduced costs and increased medical staff satisfaction.
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RESUMEN La difusión del reemplazo valvular aórtico percutáneo (TAVI) en la estenosis aórtica (EAo) generó la creación de un Heart Team (HT), para elegir el mejor tratamiento. Existen pocos reportes sobre su utilidad. Objetivos: analizar los resultados del tratamiento de los pacientes con EAo evaluados por un HT durante 10 años Material y métodos: Inclusión consecutiva de todos los pacientes con EAo candidatos a TAVI entre enero del 2012 y julio del 2021 para seleccionar el mejor tratamiento, incluyendo además Cirugía de reemplazo valvular aórtico (CRVA) y Tratamiento médico conservador (TMC). Resultados: De 841 pacientes, se asignaron a TAVI 455 (53%), CRVA 213 (24%) y TMC 183 (23%). El porcentaje asignado a TAVI aumentó con el tiempo de 48 a 62% (p < 0,05). Los pacientes que fueron a TAVI, con respecto a los enviados a CRVA, eran mayores (86 ± 7 vs 83 ± 7 años), con mayor EUROSCORE II (6,2, IC95% 5,7-6,6 vs 5,6, IC95% 4,4-6,5) y más frágiles (1,62 ± 1 vs 0,91 ± 1), en todos los casos p <0,01. La sobrevida actuarial (IC 95%) a 1 y a 2 años fue, para TAVI 88% (84-91%) y 82% (77-86%), para CRVA 83% (76-88%) y 78% (70-84%) y para TMC 70% (60-87%) y 59% (48-68%) respectivamente (p <0,001). Conclusiones: Durante los primeros 10 años de establecido un Heart Team para la toma de decisiones en EAo, se asignaron a TAVI aproximadamente la mitad y el resto se asignó por mitades a cirugía u observación. La sobrevida de los pacientes intervenidos fue similar a 2 años y mayor que la de los no intervenidos.
ABSTRACT As transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for aortic stenosis (AS) became widespread, the need for a Heart Team (HT) arose to choose the best treatment. There are few reports regarding its usefulness. Objectives: To analyze treatment outcomes in patients with AS evaluated by a HT for 10 years. Methods: Consecutive enrollment of all patients with AS who were candidates for TAVI between January 2012 and July 2021 to choose the best treatment, including surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) and conservative medical management (CMM). Results: Out of 841 patients, 455 were assigned to TAVI (53%), 213 to SAVR (24%), and 183 to CMM (23%). The percentage assigned to TAVI has increased from 48% to 62% over time (p <0.05). Patients who underwent TAVI versus those who underwent SAVR were older (86 ± 7 vs. 83 ± 7 years), had a higher EUROSCORE II (6.2, 95% CI 5.7-6.6 vs. 5.6; 95% CI 4.4-6.5) and were frailer (1.62 ± 1 vs. 0.91 ± 1), in all cases p <0.01. Actuarial survival (95% CI) at 1 and 2 years was 88% (84-91%) and 82% (77-86%) for TAVI, 83% (76-88%) and 78% (70-84%) for SAVR, and 70% (60-87%) and 59% (48-68%) for CMM, respectively (p <0.001). Conclusions: For the first 10 years after a Heart Team was established for AS decision-making, approximately half of the patients were assigned to TAVI, and the rest were equally assigned in halves to either surgery or observation. Survival for patients who received interventions was similar at 2 years and higher than in those who did not.
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OBJECTIVE: Device lead-induced tricuspid regurgitation (LITR) mechanisms are well-defined by 3D transthoracic echocardiography (3D-TTE). There is a lack of data on the Latin-American population. The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of several mechanisms and insights in patients with permanent right ventricular (RV) implanted devices by 3D-TTE examination. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 101 patients with permanent cardiac devices such as pacemakers or defibrillators. 3D-TTE was obtained on all patients in RV-focused apical views to perform a complete tricuspid valve (TV) evaluation: leaflets, subvalvular apparatus, precise lead location, and functional assessment to evaluate possible mechanisms of tricuspid regurgitation (TR). RESULTS: In a total of 101 patients, the leads did not interfere with TV function in 53 p. (59%), while LITR was observed in 38 (41%) patients. Adherent, impinging, entangled, and mixed lead-induced mechanisms were observed. Time in years since device implantation was significantly higher in patients with LITR. CONCLUSIONS: LITR was present in a high proportion of our population. LITR is the result of damage to the TV as well as its subvalvular apparatus due to the fibrotic and inflammatory response over time when leads are situated in unfavorable locations.
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Ecocardiografia Tridimensional , Insuficiência da Valva Tricúspide , Humanos , Insuficiência da Valva Tricúspide/diagnóstico por imagem , Estudos Transversais , Valva Tricúspide/diagnóstico por imagem , Ecocardiografia Tridimensional/métodos , Ventrículos do Coração/diagnóstico por imagemRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Between 25% and 30% of patients hospitalised for acute heart failure (AHF) are readmitted within 90 days after discharge, mostly due to persistent congestion on discharge. However, as the optimal evaluation of decongestion is not clearly defined, it is necessary to implement new tools to identify subclinical congestion to guide treatment. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if inferior vena cava (IVC) and lung ultrasound (CAVAL US)-guided therapy for AHF patients reduces subclinical congestion at discharge. METHODS: CAVAL US-AHF is a single-centre, single-blind randomised controlled trial designed to evaluate if an IVC and lung ultrasound-guided healthcare strategy is superior to standard care to reduce subclinical congestion at discharge. Fifty-eight patients with AHF will be randomised using a block randomisation programme that will assign to either lung and IVC ultrasound-guided decongestion therapy ('intervention group') or clinical-guided decongestion therapy ('control group'), using a quantitative protocol and will be classified in three groups according to the level of congestion observed: none or mild, moderate or severe. The treating physicians will know the result of the test and the subsequent adjustment of treatment in response to those findings guided by a customised therapeutic algorithm. The primary endpoint is the presence of more than five B-lines and/or an increase in the diameter of the IVC, with and without collapsibility. The secondary endpoints are the composite of readmission for HF, unplanned visit for worsening HF or death at 90 days, variation of pro-B-type natriuretic peptide at discharge, length of hospital stay and diuretic dose at 90 days. Analyses will be conducted as between-group by intention to treat. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board and registered in the PRIISA.BA platform of the Ministry of Health of the City of Buenos Aires. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04549701.
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Insuficiência Cardíaca , Veia Cava Inferior , Humanos , Veia Cava Inferior/diagnóstico por imagem , Método Simples-Cego , Doença Aguda , Insuficiência Cardíaca/diagnóstico por imagem , Insuficiência Cardíaca/tratamento farmacológico , Pulmão/diagnóstico por imagem , Ultrassonografia de IntervençãoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Although the assessment of right ventricular (RV) diastolic function is feasible, it has garnered far less momentum for use compared with its left ventricular counterpart. The scarcity of data defining normative RV diastolic function and the fact that implications of RV diastolic dysfunction in different disease states on outcomes are less well known both hinder integration into routine clinical assessment. The aim of this study was to establish normal values of RV diastolic parameters stratified by sex, age, and race using data from the World Alliance Societies of Echocardiography study. METHODS: A subset of 888 normal subjects from the World Alliance Societies of Echocardiography database were analyzed, including measurements of tricuspid valve (TV) inflow E- and A-wave velocities, E-wave deceleration time, and TV annular tissue Doppler e' and a' velocities. Additionally, right atrial (RA) maximal volume and RA peak reservoir strain were measured. Patients were grouped by age (<40, 41-65, and >65 years) and stratified by sex and race. Differences were analyzed using unpaired t tests. RESULTS: Compared with men, women had significantly higher TV e' and E-wave and A-wave velocities, though differences were modest. Increasing age was associated with stepwise lower TV E wave, e' velocity, and TV E/A ratio and higher a' velocity and E/e' ratio. RA peak reservoir strain was also lower, and RA end-systolic volume trended toward being smaller for older age groups. Asian subjects demonstrated significantly higher a' velocities, lower E wave, the smallest RA end-systolic volumes, and the lowest RA peak strain values compared with white subjects of both sexes. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides normal values for parameters used in the assessment of RV diastolic function stratified by race, sex, and age. The results demonstrate significant differences in RV diastolic parameters between age groups, which manifest in both individual parameters and composite ratios of TV inflow and annular velocities. Although limited sex- and race-related differences were also noted, age appears to have the most significant impact on RV diastolic parameters. These findings may aid in refining current normative values.
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Ventrículos do Coração , Função Ventricular Direita , Idoso , Diástole , Ecocardiografia , Feminino , Ventrículos do Coração/diagnóstico por imagem , Humanos , Masculino , Valores de ReferênciaAssuntos
Humanos , Ecocardiografia/economia , Ecocardiografia/instrumentação , Meios de Contraste/administração & dosagem , Ecocardiografia/tendências , Meios de Contraste/análise , Setor de Assistência à Saúde/economia , Setor de Assistência à Saúde/organização & administração , Técnicas e Procedimentos Diagnósticos/economiaRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the accuracy of predicted prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) regarding actual PPM measured postoperatively. To assess the association between PPM and prosthetic valve dysfunction. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study including adult patients after aortic valve replacement surgery with a biological prosthesis. Predicted PPM status was determined using mean reference effective orifice area indexed to total body surface (iEOA), without considering reference standard deviations. Postoperative PPM status was determined by measuring iEOA within the first 60 postoperative days. Prosthetic valve dysfunction was defined as thrombosis, pannus, valve degeneration, and/or disruption. RESULTS: 205 patients were enrolled between January 2003 and June 2017: predicted PPM was absent in 52 patients (25.4%), moderate in 137 patients (66.8%), and severe in 16 patients (7.8%). After surgery, the actual postoperative iEOA was measured: 53 (25.9%) did not have PPM, 73 had moderate PPM (35.6%), and 79 had severe PPM (38.5%). Predicted PPM identified the presence of hemodynamically significant actual postoperative PPM (OR = 2.56; 95%CI 1.30-5.05; P = .006), though not its degree of severity. Prosthetic valve dysfunction was more frequent among patients with hemodynamically significant PPM (53.9% vs. 11.3%; P < .001), compared to those without PPM. The association between PPM and prosthetic valve dysfunction was maintained after adjusting for gender, age, and ever-smoking (OR = 9.03; P < .001). The incidence of thrombosis or pannus was also nonsignificantly higher in patients with moderate or severe PPM. CONCLUSIONS: Predicted PPM identifies the presence, possibly not the severity, of actual postoperative PPM. Moderate or severe PPM is associated with prosthetic valve dysfunction. Actual postoperative prosthesis-patient mismatch measured within 60 postoperative days showed a distinctive hemodynamic profile and presented a stronger association with prosthetic valve dysfunction than predicted prosthesis-patient mismatch. A. Echocardiographic follow-up in patients according to the actual postoperative PPM measured within 60 postoperative days. B. Prediction of prosthetic valve dysfunction based on preoperative predicted PPM or on actual postoperative PPM within 60 postoperative days. PPM: prosthesis-patient mismatch. OR: Odds ratio.
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Estenose da Valva Aórtica , Bioprótese , Implante de Prótese de Valva Cardíaca , Próteses Valvulares Cardíacas , Adulto , Valva Aórtica/diagnóstico por imagem , Valva Aórtica/cirurgia , Estenose da Valva Aórtica/diagnóstico por imagem , Estenose da Valva Aórtica/cirurgia , Bioprótese/efeitos adversos , Próteses Valvulares Cardíacas/efeitos adversos , Implante de Prótese de Valva Cardíaca/efeitos adversos , Humanos , Desenho de Prótese , Estudos Retrospectivos , Fatores de Risco , Resultado do TratamentoRESUMO
Infective endocarditis (IE) is a serious and potentially lethal condition. The diagnostic capacity of the modified Duke criteria is high for native valves, but it declines in the case of EI of prosthetic valves or EI associated with devices. Echocardiography and microbiological findings are essential for diagnosis but may be insufficient in this group of patients. Our objective was to evaluate the usefulness of positron emission tomography and fusion with computed tomography (PET / CT) in patients with suspected IE, carriers of prosthetic valves or intracardiac devices; 32 patients were studied, who underwent PET / CT with 18F-Fluorine deoxyglucose (18F-FDG). Those with intense focal and/or heterogeneous uptake with a Standard Uptake Value SUV) cut-off point greater than or equal to 3.7 were considered suggestive of infection. The initial diagnoses according to the modified Duke criteria were compared with the final diagnosis established by the Institutional Endocarditis Unit. The addition of PET / CT to these criteria, provided a conclusive diagnosis in 22 of the 32 initial cases reclassifying 11 cases in definitive EI; another 5 cases were negative for that diagnosis. EI continues to be a serious clinical problem. In those cases where the Duke criteria are not sufficient to establish the diagnosis and clinical suspicion persists, PET / CT can be a useful complementary tool to increase the diagnostic sensitivity.
La endocarditis infecciosa (EI) es una enfermedad grave y potencialmente letal. La capacidad diagnóstica de los criterios de Duke modificados es alta para válvulas nativas, pero decae en el caso de EI de válvulas protésicas o EI asociadas a dispositivos. El ecocardiograma y los hallazgos microbiológicos son fundamentales para el diagnóstico, pero pueden resultar insuficientes en este grupo de pacientes. Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar la utilidad de la tomografía por emisión de positrones y fusión con tomografía computarizada (PET/TC) en pacientes con sospecha de EI, portadores de válvulas protésicas o dispositivos intracardiacos. Se estudiaron 32 pacientes, a los cuales se les realizó un PET/CT con 18F-Flúor desoxiglucosa (18F-FDG). Se consideraron sugestivos de infección aquellos con captación intensa de tipo focal y/o heterogénea con un punto de corte de Standard Uptake Value (SUV) mayor o igual a 3.7. Los diagnósticos iniciales según los criterios de Duke modificados, se compararon con el diagnóstico final establecido por la Unidad de Endocarditis institucional. El agregado del PET/CT a esos criterios, proporcionó un diagnóstico concluyente en 22 de los 32 casos iniciales, reclasificando a 11 casos en EI definitivas y a otros 5 casos como negativos para ese diagnóstico. La EI continúa siendo un grave problema clínico. En aquellos casos donde los criterios de Duke no son suficientes para establecer el diagnóstico y la sospecha clínica persiste, el PET/CT puede ser una herramienta complementaria útil para aumentar la sensibilidad diagnóstica.
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Desfibriladores Implantáveis/efeitos adversos , Endocardite/diagnóstico por imagem , Endocardite/microbiologia , Próteses Valvulares Cardíacas/efeitos adversos , Marca-Passo Artificial/efeitos adversos , Tomografia por Emissão de Pósitrons combinada à Tomografia Computadorizada/métodos , Infecções Relacionadas à Prótese/diagnóstico por imagem , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Desfibriladores Implantáveis/microbiologia , Feminino , Fluordesoxiglucose F18 , Próteses Valvulares Cardíacas/microbiologia , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Marca-Passo Artificial/microbiologia , Valores de Referência , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Sensibilidade e Especificidade , Estatísticas não Paramétricas , Adulto JovemRESUMO
La endocarditis infecciosa (EI) es una enfermedad grave y potencialmente letal. La capacidad diagnóstica de los criterios de Duke modificados es alta para válvulas nativas, pero decae en el caso de EI de válvulas protésicas o EI asociadas a dispositivos. El ecocardiograma y los hallazgos microbiológicos son fundamentales para el diagnóstico, pero pueden resultar insuficientes en este grupo de pacientes. Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar la utilidad de la tomografía por emisión de positrones y fusión con tomografía computarizada (PET/TC) en pacientes con sospecha de EI, portadores de válvulas protésicas o dispositivos intracardiacos. Se estudiaron 32 pacientes, a los cuales se les realizó un PET/CT con 18F-Flúor desoxiglucosa (18F-FDG). Se consideraron sugestivos de infección aquellos con captación intensa de tipo focal y/o heterogénea con un punto de corte de Standard Uptake Value (SUV) mayor o igual a 3.7. Los diagnósticos iniciales según los criterios de Duke modificados, se compararon con el diagnóstico final establecido por la Unidad de Endocarditis institucional. El agregado del PET/CT a esos criterios, proporcionó un diagnóstico concluyente en 22 de los 32 casos iniciales, reclasificando a 11 casos en EI definitivas y a otros 5 casos como negativos para ese diagnóstico. La EI continúa siendo un grave problema clínico. En aquellos casos donde los criterios de Duke no son suficientes para establecer el diagnóstico y la sospecha clínica persiste, el PET/CT puede ser una herramienta complementaria útil para aumentar la sensibilidad diagnóstica.
Infective endocarditis (IE) is a serious and potentially lethal condition. The diagnostic capacity of the modified Duke criteria is high for native valves, but it declines in the case of EI of prosthetic valves or EI associated with devices. Echocardiography and microbiological findings are essential for diagnosis but may be insufficient in this group of patients. Our objective was to evaluate the usefulness of positron emission tomography and fusion with computed tomography (PET / CT) in patients with suspected IE, carriers of prosthetic valves or intracardiac devices; 32 patients were studied, who underwent PET / CT with 18F-Fluorine deoxyglucose (18F-FDG). Those with intense focal and/or heterogeneous uptake with a Standard Uptake Value (SUV) cut-off point greater than or equal to 3.7 were considered suggestive of infection. The initial diagnoses according to the modified Duke criteria were compared with the final diagnosis established by the Institutional Endocarditis Unit. The addition of PET / CT to these criteria, provided a conclusive diagnosis in 22 of the 32 initial cases reclassifying 11 cases in definitive EI; another 5 cases were negative for that diagnosis. EI continues to be a serious clinical problem. In those cases where the Duke criteria are not sufficient to establish the diagnosis and clinical suspicion persists, PET / CT can be a useful complementary tool to increase the diagnostic sensitivity.
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Humanos , Masculino , Feminino , Adulto , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Adulto Jovem , Marca-Passo Artificial/efeitos adversos , Próteses Valvulares Cardíacas/efeitos adversos , Desfibriladores Implantáveis/efeitos adversos , Endocardite/microbiologia , Endocardite/diagnóstico por imagem , Tomografia por Emissão de Pósitrons combinada à Tomografia Computadorizada/métodos , Marca-Passo Artificial/microbiologia , Valores de Referência , Próteses Valvulares Cardíacas/microbiologia , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Sensibilidade e Especificidade , Infecções Relacionadas à Prótese/diagnóstico por imagem , Desfibriladores Implantáveis/microbiologia , Estatísticas não Paramétricas , Fluordesoxiglucose F18RESUMO
The epidemiology of infectious endocarditis (IE) has undergone changes due to a series of factors such as aging, comorbidities and medical procedures. The aim of this study was to evaluate the main clinical, epidemiological and etiological changes of the IE in the last 25 years in Argentina. A comparative analysis of three observational prospective registries was performed in which cases of definite and possible IE were consecutively included according to the Duke criteria: two multicentre studies (EIRA-1 [1992-1994] and EIRA-2 [2001-2002]) and one study in a reference cardiology center (CRC [2007-2017]). In the 1065 episodes of EI evaluated, there were no differences regarding sex, and the patients were older in each period (p < 0.001). Intracardiac device-associated IE was more frequent in the last decade: pacemaker (5.4 vs. 23% p < 0.0001) and prosthetic valve IE (8.5% vs. 19.2% vs. 47.5% p < 0.0001). On the other hand, IE associated with intravenous drugs (P < 0.0001) and congenital heart diseases (p = 0.001) was significantly less frequent. The etiology changed substantially: Streptococcus viridans group decreased (30.8% vs. 26.8% vs. 15.9%, p < 0.001) and IE by Staphylococcus spp. predominated over other microorganisms, with a statistically significant increase in IE due to coagulase-negative Staphylococcus. Surgical treatment was more frequently implemented in the last decade and was accompanied by a trend towards lower mortality in the CRC (23.5%, 24.3% vs. 17.2% p = 0.058).
La epidemiología de la endocarditis infecciosa (EI) ha sufrido cambios debido a una serie de factores como el envejecimiento, las comorbilidades y los procedimientos médicos. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar las principales modificaciones clínicas, epidemiológicas y etiológicas de la EI en los últimos 25 años en Argentina. Se realizó un análisis comparativo de tres registros prospectivos observacionales en los que se incluyeron de forma consecutiva casos de EI definidas y posibles según los criterios de Duke: dos estudios multicéntricos (EIRA-1 [1992-1994] y EIRA-2 [2001-2002]) y un estudio en un centro de referencia de cardiología de tercer nivel (CRC [2007-2017]). En los 1065 episodios de EI evaluados, no existieron diferencias respecto al sexo, y los pacientes fueron más añosos en cada periodo (p < 0.001). La EI asociada a dispositivos intracardiacos fue más frecuente en la última década: infección asociada a marcapasos (5.4 vs. 23% p < 0.0001) y EI de prótesis valvulares (8.5% vs. 19.2% vs. 47.5% p < 0.0001). Por otra parte, la EI asociada a drogas endovenosas (p < 0.0001) y cardiopatías congénitas (p = 0.001) fue significativamente menos frecuente. La etiología cambió sustancialmente: Streptococcus del grupo viridans disminuyó (30.8% vs. 26.8% vs. 15.9%; p < 0.001) y la EI por Staphylococcus spp. predominó por sobre otros microorganismos, con un aumento estadísticamente significativo del Staphylococcus coagulasa negativa (SCN). El tratamiento quirúrgico fue implementado con más frecuencia en la última década y estuvo acompañado de una tendencia a menor mortalidad en el CRC (23.5%, 24.3% vs. 17.2% p = 0.058).