Pries-Heje MM, Wiingaard C, Fosbøl EL, et al. - Findings demonstrate presence of moderate to severe anemia in 29% of patients with medically treated infective endocarditis (IE) after stabilization of infection.

• A total of 400 patients with IE were randomly assigned to conventional or partial oral antibiotic treatment following stabilization of infection, demonstrating non-inferiority.

• Of total patients, 248 were medically treated; 37 (14.9%) had no anemia, 139 (56.1%) exhibited mild anemia and 72 (29.0%) showed moderate to severe anemia (hemoglobin (Hgb)<6.2 mmol/L).

• In no anemia, mild anemia and moderate to severe anemia groups, death rates were 2.7%, 3.6% and 15.3% at 6-month follow-up and 13.5%, 20.1% and 34.7% at 3-year follow-up, respectively.

• A higher mortality after 6 months (HR 4.81) and after 3 years (HR 2.14) was evident in relation to moderate to severe anemia, with significance persisted post-multivariable adjustment.