Definitions
Infective endocarditis was defined according to the modified Duke
criteria (13) and a progressive extensive use of other imaging
modalities (14). Anatomical and echocardiographic definitions align with
ESC guidelines terminology (14). Surgical indications were based on
recommendations of the most recent guidelines (14)(15). Anaemia and
thrombocytopenia were graded according to WHO and NHLBI definitions.