Infective Endocarditis in Patients with Rheumatic Heart Disease: Casablanca’s Experience

Abstract

Background: Infective endocarditis poses a significant challenge with high morbidity and mortality risks, yet the African context lacks comprehensive studies on this critical health issue. Objectives: This study aims to bridge this gap by providing epidemiological insights into infectious endocarditis within a hospital in Casablanca, Morocco, a nation in perpetual development where rheumatic heart disease persists. Methods: A retrospective case series of 87 adult patients admitted to the Cardiology department of CHU Ibn Rochd between 2013 and 2022 for infective endocarditis was conducted. Data analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel and SPSS. Results: It revealed that 47 patients had rheumatic heart disease. Bacterial identification occurred in less than half of the cases, predominantly staphylococcus. Surgical interventions were limited, and the mortality rate reached 23%. Conclusions: This study sheds light on the epidemiological profile of infective endocarditis in Morocco, emphasizing a considerable disparity compared to Western counterparts. The findings underscore the urgent need for focused efforts and interventions to address the unique challenges posed by infective endocarditis in Morocco and, by extension, the broader African context.