Table 1

Characteristics of medically–surgically treated (MST) versus medically treated (MT) patients

MST group (n=81)MT group (n=131)p Value
Data are n (%) unless otherwise indicated.
Mean (SD) age (years)52 (16)53 (19)NS
Cardiac risk factors53 (65)80 (61)NS
    Prior infective endocarditis3 (4)6 (5)NS
    Pre-existing valvar heart disease34 (42)58 (44)NS
    Pre-existing prosthetic valve19 (23)17 (13)NS
    Congenital heart disease3 (4)5 (4)NS
Non-cardiac risk factors29 (36)56 (43)NS
    Injected drug use7 (9)15 (11)NS
    Renal insufficiency16 (20)21 (16)NS
    Diabetes mellitus10 (12)17(13)NS
    Cancer6 (7)16 (12)NS
Causative organisms: staphylococci35 (43)41 (31)NS
Causative organisms: streptococci33 (41)69 (53)NS
Infection of aortic valve67 (83)49 (37)<0.001
Congestive heart failure during endocarditis37 (46)51 (39)NS
Systemic emboli during endocarditis36 (44)35 (27)<0.01
Mean (SD) symptoms/signs of endocarditis7 (2)6 (2)<0.02
Mean (SD) duration of hospital stay (days)43 (28)32 (22)<0.002
Cerebral dysfunction at discharge7 (9)8 (6)NS
Long term mortality36 (44)83 (63)<0.01