Methods: Between January 2005 and August 2012 116 patients (65 males, 51 females; mean age 43±16 years; range 14 to 80 years) with the diagnosis of infective endocarditis who underwent surgery in 13 tertiary university/research and education hospitals were included in this multi-center study. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients, and echocardiographic and microbiological findings, surgical indications and outcomes of surgery were retrospectively analyzed.

Results: The most common symptom on admission and physical finding was fever. Blood cultures were negative in 35 patients (30%). Staphylococci were the most common microbiological pathogens (22%). Congestive heart failure was the most common indication for surgery in 56 patients (48%). Valve repair was performed in 12 patients (10%), valve replacement was the procedure of choice in 104 patients (90%). Thirty-three patients undergoing surgical treatment died in the postoperative period. The mortality rate was 28%. Independent predictors of surgical mortality were Class 3-4 functional capacity, elevated C-reactive protein, and renal dysfunction.

Conclusion: Although complicated cases of infective endocarditis can be treated through surgery, surgical morbidity and mortality is still high.