Comparative Analysis on Infective Endocarditis between Posttranscatheter and Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement Surgeries

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a significant complication of both transcatheter and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). This review compares the incidence, microbiology, risk factors, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of IE after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and SAVR. The incidence of IE following TAVR ranges from 0.5% to 3.1% during the 1 st year, with a significant related death rate (up to 67% after 2 years). Staphylococcus aureus is the major cause of SAVR-IE, but Enterococcus species are predominant in TAVR-IE infections. Procedural variables such as catheterization methods and paravalvular regurgitation contribute to the etiology of TAVR-associated IE. Advanced imaging techniques such as fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography and transesophageal echocardiography play critical roles in the diagnosis. While antibiotic therapy remains the cornerstone of treatment, roughly half of all patients require surgery. Given the growing use of TAVR in younger, lower-risk groups, knowing the subtleties of IE in these procedures is crucial. This review is unique in its comprehensive comparison methodology, which emphasizes major differences between TAVR-and SAVR-associated IE. It emphasizes the critical need for improved preventive methods, better diagnostic algorithms, and optimized care protocols to reduce morbidity and mortality from valve replacement surgeries.