Resumen

Objective: To obtain a pre-test probability for endocarditis using clinical criteria identified as independent risk factors for endocarditis in order to help decision-making regarding transthoracic echocardiography in subjects suspected of endocarditis. Material and methods: A retrospective study was performed from histories obtained from January 1 st 1987 to december 31 st 2002 at the Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición “Salvador Zubirán”,a reference center, in Mexico city. Sixty-four patients with probability or suspected endocarditis were found that had a complete study protocol and were compared to 39 control subjects. The definitive diagnosis of endocarditis was established according to Duke’s criteria, a transthoracic echocardiography and a citologic exam on material obtained from surgical samples in patients with certain clinical characteristics associated to this diagnosis. Results: Independent risk factors for endocarditis were previous valve disease, new heart failure episode, new heart murmur, His’ bundle branch block and septic embolism. Conclusions: Pre-test probability obtained in this study can be used as a screening tool to identify subjects with low endocarditis probability.

Palabras clave: Endocarditis risk factors clinical markers.

2006-10-10   |   1,915 visitas   |   Evalua este artículo 0 valoraciones

Vol. 19 Núm.1. Enero-Marzo 2006 Pags. 13-17 Médicas UIS 2006; XIX(1)