The emergence of Staphylococcus aureus as the primary cause of cardiac device-related infective endocarditis

Background Increasing use of cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIED), as permanent pacemakers (PPM), implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD), or cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), is associated with the emergence of CIED-related infective endocarditis (CIED-IE). We aimed to characterize CIED-IE profile, temporal trends, and prognostic factors. Methods CIED-IE diagnosed at Rennes University Hospital during years 1992–2017 were identified through computerized database, and included if they presented all of the following: (1) clinical signs of infection; (2) microbiological documentation through blood and/or CIED lead cultures; (3) lead or valve vegetation, or definite IE according to Duke criteria. Data were retrospectively extracted from medical charts. The cohort was categorized in three periods: 1992–1999, 2000–2008, and 2009–2017. Results We included 199 patients (51 women, 148 men, median age 73 years [interquartile range, 64–79]), with CIED-IE: 158 PPMs (79%), 24 ICD (12%), and 17 CRT (9%). Main pathogens were coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS: n = 86, 43%), Staphylococcus aureus ( n = 60, 30%), and other Gram-positive cocci ( n = 28, 14%). Temporal trends were remarkable for the decline in CoNS ( P = 0.002), and the emergence of S. aureus as the primary cause of CIED-IE (24/63 in 2009–2017, 38%). Factors independently associated with one-year mortality were chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD: hazard ratio 3.84 [1.03–6.02], P = 0.03), left-sided endocarditis (HR 2.25 [1.09–4.65], P = 0.03), pathogens other than CoNS (HR 3.16 [1.19–8.39], P = 0.02), and CIED removal/reimplantation (HR 0.41 [0.20–0.83], P = 0.01). Conclusions S. aureus has emerged as the primary cause of CIED-IE. Left-sided endocarditis, COPD, pathogens other than CoNS, and no CIED removal/reimplantation are independent risk factors for one-year mortality.