Infective Endocarditis and Antimicrobial Timing: A Case for Delay?

ABSTRACT:

Background

In patients with suspected infective endocarditis (IE), current guidelines recommend prompt initiation of empiric antimicrobial treatment after obtaining blood cultures. However, the clinical benefit of immediate treatment in hemodynamically stable patients remains uncertain. This study assessed the impact of deferring antimicrobial treatment in patients with suspected IE.

Methods

We conducted a multicenter cohort study of adult patients with bacteremia and clinical suspicion of IE from 2 university hospitals (2015-24). Patients presenting with sepsis, intensive care unit admission, neutropenia, or a clearly identifiably focus other than IE were excluded. All cases were adjudicated by a dedicated Endocarditis Team as either IE or not IE. The primary outcome for al

SUBMITTER: Stavropoulou E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12548369 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature