Is simultaneous splenectomy an additive risk factor in surgical treatment for active endocarditis?

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Payam Akhyari - , Heidelberg University , University Hospital Duesseldorf (Author)
  • Arianeb Mehrabi - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Angelina Adhiwana - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Hiroyuki Kamiya - , Heidelberg University , University Hospital Duesseldorf (Author)
  • Katharina Nimptsch - , Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine (MDC) (Author)
  • Jan Philipp Minol - , University Hospital Duesseldorf (Author)
  • Ursel Tochtermann - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Erhrad Godehardt - , University Hospital Duesseldorf (Author)
  • Jürgen Weitz - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Artur Lichtenberg - , University Hospital Duesseldorf (Author)
  • Matthias Karck - , Heidelberg University  (Author)
  • Arjang Ruhparwar - , Heidelberg University  (Author)

Abstract

Purpose: Splenic abscess formation is a serious complication in the setting of active endocarditis, and splenectomy is recommended. However, the optimal timing for splenectomy is yet undetermined. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of a one-stage splenectomy and valve surgery for active endocarditis. Methods: Among 202 consecutive endocarditis patients, 18 had splenic lesions on preoperative abdominal screening, who underwent cardiac surgery and splenectomy as a one-stage procedure (group A) and were compared to patients with unremarkable abdominal screening (group B, n = 184) undergoing sole cardiac surgery. Results: No difference was observed regarding preoperative characteristics (age, gender, New York Heart Association [NYHA] grade, diabetes, coronary artery disease, redo surgery, adiposity, smoking), intubation time, and prolonged ventilation. There were 23 early postoperative deaths in group B (12.5%) vs. none in group A. At 180 days, survival was significantly higher for patients in group A (94.4%) vs. group B (67.9%, p = 0.016), although this difference did not reach statistical significance (log-rank test, p = 0.073). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression revealed age above 50 years (hazard ratio [HR] 3.327, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.279-8.650) and NYHA class above III (NYHA III or IV: HR 3.117, 95% CI 1.119-8.683, p = 0.030; NYHA IV: HR 3.678, 95% CI 1.984-6.817, p < 0.001) as independent risk factors for mortality at 180 days. A trend towards a protective factor was observed for simultaneous splenectomy (HR = 0.171, 95% CI 0.023-1.255). Conclusion: Simultaneous valve surgery and splenectomy is an approach for active endocarditis complicated by splenic lesions with a low 180-day mortality. Despite the expected risk elevation by septic lesions and the additive trauma of a laparotomy, patients with simultaneous splenectomy had a favourable outcome regarding early mortality and mortality at 6 months.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1261-1266
Number of pages6
JournalLangenbeck's archives of surgery
Volume397
Issue number8
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2012
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

External IDs

PubMed 22382703

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Keywords

  • Endocarditis, Heart surgery, Septic emboli, Splenectomy, Splenic abscess