Anemia and Transfusion in Infective Endocarditis

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a severe condition characterized by a predominantly bacterial infection of the heart valves or endocardial surface, often leading to significant morbidity and mortality. Anemia is very common in patients with IE, which may be explained by factors such as chronic inflam...

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Main Authors: Tim Alberts, Susanne Eberl, Thomas W. van der Vaart, S. Matthijs Boekholdt, Henning Hermanns
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IMR Press 2025-06-01
Series:Reviews in Cardiovascular Medicine
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Online Access:https://www.imrpress.com/journal/RCM/26/6/10.31083/RCM33394
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author Tim Alberts
Susanne Eberl
Thomas W. van der Vaart
S. Matthijs Boekholdt
Henning Hermanns
author_facet Tim Alberts
Susanne Eberl
Thomas W. van der Vaart
S. Matthijs Boekholdt
Henning Hermanns
author_sort Tim Alberts
collection DOAJ
description Infective endocarditis (IE) is a severe condition characterized by a predominantly bacterial infection of the heart valves or endocardial surface, often leading to significant morbidity and mortality. Anemia is very common in patients with IE, which may be explained by factors such as chronic inflammation, hemolysis, kidney disease, and pre-existing iron deficiency. This review aimed to comprehensively examine the prevalence, causes, and clinical impact of anemia in IE patients and the role of blood transfusion in managing these patients. The diagnostic approach to anemia in IE includes combining clinical assessment and laboratory investigations, specifically distinguishing between different etiologies. Blood transfusion is likewise very common in IE, especially in surgically treated patients. Thus, balancing the need to correct anemia with the risks associated with blood transfusion is complex, and robust evidence is scarce. Management strategies for anemia in IE may extend beyond transfusion, encompassing pharmacological treatments such as iron supplementation and erythropoiesis-stimulating agents. Despite advancements in understanding the interplay between anemia and IE, several knowledge gaps and unresolved questions remain, necessitating further research to refine treatment protocols and improve patient outcomes. Future directions include investigating emerging therapeutic approaches, optimizing multidisciplinary care pathways, and developing evidence-based guidelines tailored to the unique needs of IE patients. This review underscores the importance of a comprehensive, individualized approach to managing anemia and transfusion in IE, aiming to enhance clinical outcomes and quality of life for affected patients.
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spelling doaj-art-e3de38ef253b46e0aea2d96c0bb96eba2025-08-20T03:28:58ZengIMR PressReviews in Cardiovascular Medicine1530-65502025-06-012663339410.31083/RCM33394S1530-6550(25)01799-5Anemia and Transfusion in Infective EndocarditisTim Alberts0Susanne Eberl1Thomas W. van der Vaart2S. Matthijs Boekholdt3Henning Hermanns4Department of Anesthesiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The NetherlandsDepartment of Anesthesiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The NetherlandsDepartment of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The NetherlandsDepartment of Cardiology, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The NetherlandsDepartment of Anesthesiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The NetherlandsInfective endocarditis (IE) is a severe condition characterized by a predominantly bacterial infection of the heart valves or endocardial surface, often leading to significant morbidity and mortality. Anemia is very common in patients with IE, which may be explained by factors such as chronic inflammation, hemolysis, kidney disease, and pre-existing iron deficiency. This review aimed to comprehensively examine the prevalence, causes, and clinical impact of anemia in IE patients and the role of blood transfusion in managing these patients. The diagnostic approach to anemia in IE includes combining clinical assessment and laboratory investigations, specifically distinguishing between different etiologies. Blood transfusion is likewise very common in IE, especially in surgically treated patients. Thus, balancing the need to correct anemia with the risks associated with blood transfusion is complex, and robust evidence is scarce. Management strategies for anemia in IE may extend beyond transfusion, encompassing pharmacological treatments such as iron supplementation and erythropoiesis-stimulating agents. Despite advancements in understanding the interplay between anemia and IE, several knowledge gaps and unresolved questions remain, necessitating further research to refine treatment protocols and improve patient outcomes. Future directions include investigating emerging therapeutic approaches, optimizing multidisciplinary care pathways, and developing evidence-based guidelines tailored to the unique needs of IE patients. This review underscores the importance of a comprehensive, individualized approach to managing anemia and transfusion in IE, aiming to enhance clinical outcomes and quality of life for affected patients.https://www.imrpress.com/journal/RCM/26/6/10.31083/RCM33394infective endocarditisanemiablood transfusioncardiac surgeryanesthesia
spellingShingle Tim Alberts
Susanne Eberl
Thomas W. van der Vaart
S. Matthijs Boekholdt
Henning Hermanns
Anemia and Transfusion in Infective Endocarditis
Reviews in Cardiovascular Medicine
infective endocarditis
anemia
blood transfusion
cardiac surgery
anesthesia
title Anemia and Transfusion in Infective Endocarditis
title_full Anemia and Transfusion in Infective Endocarditis
title_fullStr Anemia and Transfusion in Infective Endocarditis
title_full_unstemmed Anemia and Transfusion in Infective Endocarditis
title_short Anemia and Transfusion in Infective Endocarditis
title_sort anemia and transfusion in infective endocarditis
topic infective endocarditis
anemia
blood transfusion
cardiac surgery
anesthesia
url https://www.imrpress.com/journal/RCM/26/6/10.31083/RCM33394
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AT smatthijsboekholdt anemiaandtransfusionininfectiveendocarditis
AT henninghermanns anemiaandtransfusionininfectiveendocarditis