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Alternative names Return to top
Valve infectionDefinition Return to top
Endocarditis is an inflammation of the inside lining of the heart chambers and heart valves (endocardium).Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top
Endocarditis can involve the heart muscle, heart valves, or lining of the heart. Most people who develop endocarditis have underlying valvular heart disease.
Injection drug use, recent dental surgery, permanent central venous access lines, prior valve surgery, and weakened valves are risk factors for developing endocarditis.
Bacterial infection is the most common source of endocarditis. However, it can also be caused by fungi. In some cases, no causative organism can be identified.
Related topics:
Symptoms Return to top
Note: Endocarditis symptoms may develop slowly (subacute) or suddenly (acute).
Signs and tests Return to top
A history of congenital heart disease, rheumatic fever, recent dental work, or intravenous drug use raises the index of suspicion. Physical examination may show an enlarged spleen.
The examiner may detect a new heart murmur, or a change in a previous heart murmur. Examination of the nails may show splinter hemorrhages.
Eye examination may show retinal hemorrhages with a central area of clearing (called Roth's spots), and petechiae (small, pinpoint hemorrhages) may be detected in the conjunctiva. The fingertips may become enlarged and the nails may curve (clubbing).
Tests:
Treatment Return to top
Hospitalization is often required initially to administer intravenous antibiotics. Long-term antibiotic therapy is required to eradicate the bacteria from the heart chambers and valves.
Therapy up to 6 weeks is not uncommon. The chosen antibiotic must be specific for the organism causing the condition. This is determined by the blood culture and the sensitivity tests.
Activity is restricted to bed rest initially, then it is gradually increased as the condition improves. No special diet (such as a low-salt diet) is necessary, unless it is required because of an underlying heart disorder.
If heart failure develops as a result of damaged heart valves, or if the infection is breaking off in little pieces, resulting in a series of strokes, surgery to replace the affected heart valve may be indicated.
Expectations (prognosis) Return to top
Early treatment of endocarditis improves the chances of a good outcome.
Complications Return to top
Calling your health care provider Return to top
Call your health care provider if you note the following symptoms during or after treatment:
Prevention Return to top
Preventive antibiotics are often given to people with predisposing heart conditions before dental procedures or surgeries involving the respiratory, urinary, or intestinal tract. Continued medical follow-up is advised for people with a history of endocarditis.
Update Date: 2/3/2004 Updated by: Kenneth Wener, M.D., Division of Infectious Diseases, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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Page last updated: 28 October 2004 |