Healthcare-associated infective endocarditis: a case series in a referral hospital from 2006 to 2011.

Background: Healthcare-associated infective endocarditis (HCA-IE), a severe complication of medical care, shows a growing incidence in literature.

Objective: To evaluate epidemiology, etiology, risk factors for acquisition, complications, surgical treatment, and outcome of HCA-IE.

Methods: Observational prospective case series study (2006-2011) in a public hospital in Rio de Janeiro.