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(Stroke. 2006;37:2094.)
© 2006 American Heart Association, Inc.

Original Contributions

Neurological Outcome of Septic Cardioembolic Stroke After Infective Endocarditis

Elfriede Ruttmann, MD; Johann Willeit, MD; Hanno Ulmer, PhD; Orest Chevtchik, MD; Daniel Höfer, MD; Werner Poewe, MD; Günther Laufer, MD Ludwig C. Müller, MD

From the Departments of Cardiac Surgery (E.R., O.C., D.H., G.L., L.C.M.), Neurology (J.W., W.P.), and Medical Statistics, Informatics, and Health Economy (H.U.), Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.

Correspondence to Elfriede Ruttmann, MD, Department of Cardiac Surgery, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria. E-mail elfriede.ruttmann{at}uibk.ac.at

Background and Purpose— The aim of this study was to evaluate mortality and neurological outcomes of cardioembolic cerebral stroke in infective endocarditis (IE) patients requiring cardiac surgery.

Methods— A consecutive series of 214 patients undergoing cardiac surgery for IE was followed up for 20 years. In 65 patients (mean age, 52 years), IE was complicated by computed tomography– or magnetic resonance imaging–verified stroke (n=61) or transient ischemic attack (n=4). Perioperative (30-day) and long-term mortality was assessed with regression models adjusting for age. Complete neurological recovery of IE survivors was defined by a modified Rankin score of 1 and a Barthel index of 20 points.

Results— Fifty of 61 stroke patients (81.9%) survived surgery. In comparison with nonstroke patients, the age-adjusted perioperative mortality risk was 1.70-fold (95% CI, 0.73 to 3.96, P=0.22) higher and long-term mortality risk was 1.23-fold (95% CI, 0.72 to 2.11, P=0.45) higher in stroke patients. Patients with complicated stroke (meningitis, hemorrhage, or brain abscess) showed a higher perioperative mortality rate (38.9% vs 8.5%, P=0.007) but no higher neurological complication rate than patients with uncomplicated ischemic stroke. Complete neurological recovery was achieved in 35 IE survivors (70%, 95% CI, 55% to 82%). However, in the case of middle cerebral artery stroke, recovery was only 50% and was significantly lower compared with non—middle cerebral artery stroke (P=0.012).

Conclusion— Uncomplicated IE-related stroke showed a favorable prognosis with regard to both long-term survival and neurological recovery. The formidable risk of secondary cerebral hemorrhage due to cardiac surgery seems to be much lower than previously thought.

Key Words: infective endocarditis • neurologic rehabilitation • septic embolism • stroke

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