Endocarditis complicating central venous catheter bloodstream infections: a unique form of health care associated endocarditis.

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Endocarditis complicating central venous catheter bloodstream infections: a unique form of health care associated endocarditis.

Clin Cardiol. 2009 Dec;32(12):E48-54

Authors: Chrissoheris MP, Libertin C, Ali RG, Ghantous A, Bekui A, Donohue T

BACKGROUND: Endocarditis complicating central venous catheter blood stream infection (CVC-BSI) is a serious complication and is being seen with increasing frequency. METHODS: All patients discharged from our institution with International Classification of Disease (ICD-9) codes of endocarditis and CVC-BSI were identified. The medical records of those meeting our inclusion criteria were reviewed. RESULTS: From October 1, 1998 until December 31, 2006, 24 patients were identified with inpatient mortality of 20.8%. Nine cases were nosocomial and 15 were non-nosocomial. The most common comorbidities were diabetes mellitus (45.8%), chronic kidney disease (58.4%), prior valvular abnormalities (37.5%), and multiple prior hospitalizations (65.2%). There were 13 external lines, 9 tunneled lines, and 2 implantable ports. Responsible microorganisms included Staphylococcus aureus in 54.6%, coagulase-negative staphylococci in 37.5%, Candida species (spp.) in 16.6%, and enterococci in 12.5%. Five cases were polymicrobial. The line tip was within the right atrium (RA) in 37.5%, the superior vena cava (SVC)-RA junction in 20.8%, the SVC in 33.3%, and the pulmonary artery in 4.2% of patients. Sites of endocardial involvement were the aortic valve in 6 patients, mitral valve in 7 patients, tricuspid valve in 6 patients, right atrial wall in 11 patients, and pacemaker wire in 2 patients. Isolated right-sided involvement occurred in 50% of cases, isolated left-sided in 33.4%, and bilateral involvement in 16.6%. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was necessary for diagnosis in 10 cases (41.6%). CONCLUSIONS: Endocarditis complicating CVC-BSI more often involves right-sided structures, with catheter tips in or near the right atrium, frequently requires TEE for diagnosis, and has significant inpatient mortality.

PMID: 20014189 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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