针对感染性心内膜炎患者的预后没有全面研究。不考虑致病微生物时,充血性心力衰竭仍然是患者预后的单个最好预测因子。如果适用,手术治疗的整体死亡率更低;然而,有明确的手术适应证的患者往往有危重病且手术死亡率较高。[50]Sexton DJ, Spelman D. Current best practices and guidelines: assessment and management of complications of infective endocarditis. Cardiol Clin. 2003;21:273-282.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12874898?tool=bestpractice.com
随着人口老龄化,感染性心内膜炎愈发常见,且有临床结局恶化的趋势。[16]Nishimura RA, Otto CM, Bonow RO, et al; American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines. 2014 AHA/ACC guideline for the management of patients with valvular heart disease: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2014;63:e57-e185.http://content.onlinejacc.org/article.aspx?articleid=1838843http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24603191?tool=bestpractice.com相较于年轻患者,感染性心内膜炎老龄患者具有更高的死亡率:年龄、脑栓塞和人工瓣膜心内膜炎已被证实为增加死亡率的危险因素。