Novel Catheter Method Can Successfully Treat Heart Infections Without Surgery

Researchers have identified a new approach to treating infective endocarditis that could improve outcomes for a large population of patients who have no further therapeutic options, according to findings presented at the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics Symposium on October 30.

Abdallah El Sabbagh, MD, an interventional cardiologist at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, and the study’s lead investigator presented the data. “Our research findings show that using a catheter to draw out most of the heart infection potentially made a significant difference in a patient’s response to antibiotic therapy afterward to clear up the infection,” he said in a press release.

The research into this new method of treatment is part of a Mayo Clinic-led study being conducted in 19 sites across the US. Participants comprised those whose right-sided heart infections would not clear and those who weren’t considered good candidates for surgery.

According to the press release, over 90% of infections observed were cleared among patients in the study, who then experienced lower in-hospital mortality rates compared to patients with remaining infections.

The investigators stated that when an infection takes root in the heart valve, high-risk patients like those evaluated in the study have fewer available treatment options. Other high-risk patients include people with weakened immune systems, those who have had a transplant or undergone cancer treatment, those who use IV drugs, and patients with implanted medical devices.

Specifically, those who use IV drugs and patients with implanted medical devices are more susceptible to developing infective endocarditis. According to the press release, half of the 285 study participants were patients who inject IV drugs.

“The participants in this study were all high-risk patients, and most were not responding to antibiotic therapy alone and were considered to have significant risks with open heart surgery,” said Dr. El Sabbagh. “We were able to show that minimally invasive catheter-based aspiration of the infection is feasible, successful, and may help a significant population of patients who would otherwise have no alternative therapeutic options.”

Originally, the catheter-based method was developed to remove lung blood clots without surgery. The Mayo Clinic study demonstrated that the off-label approach “shows potential as a safe and effective option,” though the lead investigator reiterated the need for further prospective studies on the subject.