The development of new antibiotics and the advances in cardiac surgery has increased the number of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) who grow into adulthood, and infective endocarditis (IE) has become one of the important complications. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical findings of IE that occurred in adolescents and adults suffering with CHD.

In a retrospective case study, the medical records of 44 patients diagnosed as having IE were reviewed. The Duke criteria were used as the diagnostic criteria of IE.

Between October 1994 and December 2003, 44 patients and 49 cases were treated for IE with CHD in Samsung Medical Center. Their mean age was 45 years (median age: 44 years, range: 12-81 years) Ventricular septal defect (VSD) was the most common underlying cardiac disease (38.8%). In 18 of 49 cases (36.7%) CHD was diagnosed for the first time during the treatment of IE. 13 of the 31 patients with known CHD had not been seen on regular medical follow-ups. The common predisposing factors were dental procedures and acupuncture. The most common pathogens were Streptococcus viridans and Staphylococcus aureus. Valvular replacement was performed in 11 of the 19 VSD patients. Pulmonary complications developed in 12 (24.5%) and neurological complications developed in 10 (20.4%). The overall mortality was 2%.

IE in adult CHD has become an important complication that infrequently accompanies a serious problem like severe valvular destruction or neurological complications. Proper management of CHD should be done early and educating the patient on the proper self-care for IE should be continued throughout life.