1979∼1984년 및 1991∼1996년에 있어서 자연판막 심내막염의 역학 및 임상양상 비교

Abstract

Background : The changes in the epidemiology of native valve endocarditis have been known in western countries recent years due to the decrease in the incidence of rheumatic heart disease, increased longevity of patients with valvular or congenital heart diseases, and the increase in degenerative heart disease due to the increase in the average life span of the general population. In this study, we analyzed and compared the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with native valvular endocarditis fro two different time periods. Methods : We compared native valve endocarditis patients diagnosed from 1979∼1984 (group Ⅰ) with those diagnosed from 1991∼1996 (group Ⅱ). We used modified Duke's criteria for the diagnosis and statistical analysis was done using SPSS window program. Results : In our study, mean age of the population was higher in group Ⅱ and significantly larger number of patients were over the age of 50 in group Ⅱ. Involvement of multiple valves with vegetations and perivalvular abscess were found more frequently in group Ⅱ. Also, significantly higher percentage of patients from group Ⅱ underwent surgical treatment. Conclusion : The results of this study suggest that the epidemiolocaland clinical characteristics of infective endocarditis in Korea may change to resemble those in western countries. Further studies regarding this subject are needed.