Results of surgical management of infective endocarditis associated with Staphylococcus aureus

OBJECTIVES Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is a leading cause of infective endocarditis (IE), and such cases are on the rise. Our objective was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of surgical intervention in patients with SA-associated IE and to identify the factors associated with outcomes. METHODS Between 2009 and 2017, 585 patients underwent valve surgery for definitive left-sided IE at 14 affiliated hospitals. Their medical records were retrospectively reviewed, and the preoperative variables and clinical results of patients with (n = 117) or without SA infection (n = 468) were compared. RESULTS The SA group had a more critical preoperative condition with higher rates of chronic haemodialysis, preoperative embolic events and preoperative inflammation levels, as well as worse renal function. In-hospital mortality was 20% and 7% in the patients with or without SA infection, respectively. The overall survival rate at 1 year and 5 years was 72% and 62% in the SA group, and 88% and 81% in the non-SA group, respectively (P < 0.001). The Cox hazard analysis revealed that methicillin-resistant SA infection was an independent risk factor for overall mortality in the SA group. The rate of freedom from recurrence of endocarditis at 1 year and 5 years was 95% and 90% in the SA group and 96% and 92% in the non-SA group, respectively (P = 0.43). CONCLUSIONS The short- and mid-term outcomes after valve surgery for active IE in patients with SA are still challenging. Methicillin-resistant SA infection is an independent predictor of mid-term mortality.