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Epidemiology of infective endocarditis in Chennai, South India.

BACKGROUND
Infective endocarditis (IE) is an infection of the endocardial surface of the heart. Despite recent advances in diagnosis and treatment, mortality rates remain high. Data on the prevalence, epidemiology and etiology of IE from India are sparse.


AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical, laboratory, microbiological, and echocardiographic characteristics of IE patients in Chennai, south India.


MATERIALS AND METHODS
Patients were classified based on modified Duke criteria. Details of the clinical profile of the patients and laboratory data were recorded. Blood cultures were performed to establish the etiology.


RESULTS
Ninety six percent of patients had native valve endocarditis. Mitral valve was the most commonly affected valve.


CONCLUSION
Rheumatic heart disease was the most common predisposing factor and fever was the most common clinical feature. Viridans group streptococci accounted of the culture positive cases.