Background
Infective endocarditis (IE) is a severe infection of the heart valves, often necessitating surgical intervention. Surgery aims to eradicate the infection, repair or replace damaged valves, and prevent complications such as heart failure or systemic embolism. However, despite established guideline recommendations indicating surgery for a substantial proportion of patients, not all eligible individuals undergo surgical treatment. Prior cohort studies typically represent select populations from tertiary referral centers, which may bias understanding of surgery utilization and outcomes. This nationwide Danish study sought to evaluate the real-world practice of surgical treatment for left-sided IE, focusing on surgery use according to established indications and associated mortality outcomes.
