What is the relationship between the initiation of antimicrobial therapy and the incidence of stroke in infective endocarditis?
The ICE Prospective Cohort Study (ICE-PCS) found that the relationship between the initiation of antimicrobial therapy and the incidence of stroke in infective endocarditis is significant. A study conducted by Dickerman et al. (2007) showed that the incidence of stroke was reduced after the initiation of antimicrobial therapy, indicating that antimicrobial therapy can be beneficial in preventing stroke in patients with infective endocarditis. The results of the ICE-PCS study suggest that early initiation of antimicrobial therapy in patients with infective endocarditis can reduce the risk of stroke. However, further research is needed to confirm these results and to determine the optimal timing of antimicrobial therapy for the prevention of stroke in this population. 