Similar Outcomes in Males and Females Undergoing Surgery for Infective Endocarditis

Background: Sex-based differences in mortality have been previously observed in patients with surgically treated infective endocarditis. We sought to evaluate the risk factors leading to this difference. Methods: A retrospective cohort from three centers in Israel comprising 376 surgically treated patients, comparing short- and long-term mortality rates and risk factors between female and male patients. Results: Compared to male patients, female patients had higher rates of hypertension (62% vs. 48%), higher rates of Gram-negative infections (20% vs. 11%), and more mitral valve replacement (55% vs. 42%). Diabetes and age were the most significant predictors for mortality and did not differ between female and male patients. In-hospital mortality rates did not differ between female and male patients (29% vs. 26%), and the difference in long-term mortality was not statistically significant (46% vs. 36% p = 0.088). Conclusions: No statistical difference was observed in short- and long-term mortality between female and male patients, most likely due to a lack of difference in the rates of important risk factors such as diabetes and age. Mortality rates decreased in the last 10 years, and a good prognosis is observed for patients surviving the initial 30 days after surgery.