Infective endocarditis
Infective endocarditis Causes
The organisms that cause NIE apparently are related to the type of underlying bacteremia. The gram-positive cocci (ie, S aureus, CONS, enterococci, nonenterococcal streptococci) are the most commonly-found pathogens.
Infective endocarditis Definition
Infective endocarditis (IE) is an infection affecting the endocardial surface of the heart. The intracardiac effects of this infection include severe valvular insufficiency, which may result to intractable congestive heart failure and myocardial abscesses.
Infective endocarditis Diagnosis
The most crucial investigation is Blood culture. In general, a patient should fulfill the Duke Criteria to be able to establish the diagnosis of endocarditis.
Infective endocarditis Symptoms and Signs
Symptoms of bacterial endocarditis may include fatigue, fever, loss of appetite, night sweats, chills, headaches, joint discomfort, and tiny pinpoint-sized hemorrhages on the chest and back, fingers, or toes. Upon examination, the physician may also notice a new heart murmur and small hemorrhages in the mucous membranes of the eyes.
Infective endocarditis Treatment
High dose antibiotics are given by the intravenous route to maximize diffusion of antibiotic molecules into vegetation(s) from the blood filling the chambers of the heart. This is required because neither the heart valves nor the vegetations adherent to them are supplied by blood vessels. Antibiotics are continued for a long period of time, typically two to six weeks.