Infective endocarditis in octogenarians

Abstract

IE in octogenarians is a different disease, with <i>Enterococci</i> as the most frequent micro-organisms and with higher mortality than younger patients. ESC recommendations for surgery are less implemented than in younger patients, yielding dramatic mortality in patients not operated despite a theoretical indication for surgery, while operated patients have an excellent prognosis. These results suggest that surgery is underused in octogenarians.