Changing pattern of infective endocarditisin Iran: A 16 years survey

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the changes in characteristics of patients with infective endocarditis in Iran and comparing the results with the changing profiles of Infection Endocarditis (IE) in other countries.

Methodology: We studied all patients with definite or possible IE seen at four referral teaching hospitals in Iran from Jan. 1995 to Dec. 2010. The data was analyzed both collectively and separately in two consecutive eight-year periods, i.e. 1995-2003 and 2004-2010.

Results: A total of 286 episodes of IE, 172 males and 114 females, were reviewed from which 162 ones were in the first eight-year time period and 124 episodes in the second one. Mean age of the patients was significantly increased in the second eight-year period (24.2