Infective Endocarditis Overview

Infective Endocarditis (IE) is a serious heart infection affecting the inner lining of the heart chambers and valves. It develops when bacteria or other germs enter the bloodstream and attach to the heart's inner lining.

IE primarily affects people with weakened heart valves, such as those with prosthetic valves or those with heart valve problems. IV drug users, elderly with degenerated valves, and those with intracardiac devices are at a higher risk.

NVE stands for Native Valve Endocarditis, meaning the heart valve infection occurs in the original, or native, heart valve.

PVE stands for Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis, meaning the infection occurs in an artificial heart valve, a prosthetic valve.

IVDU refers to Intravenous Drug Users, a group at high risk for Infective Endocarditis due to the potential for bacteria to enter the bloodstream through injection.

IE (Infective Endocarditis) on PM/ICD electrodes refers to an infection affecting the pacemaker or implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) electrodes implanted in the heart.

Relapse in IE occurs when the same pathogen causes a new IE episode within 6 months, indicating incomplete treatment of the initial infection.

Reinfection in IE occurs when a new microorganism causes a new IE episode more than 6 months after the initial infection.

Infective endocarditis (IE) occurring within 6 months of the initial episode, caused by the same bacterial species.

Infective endocarditis (IE) occurring more than 6 months after the initial episode, caused by the same bacterial species.

Presence of bacteria in the bloodstream. It's a common condition.

Damage to the inner lining of the heart (endocardium), exposing the underlying tissue.

Small, clot-like growths on the heart valves, caused by the interaction of platelets and fibrin.

A condition where heart valves don't close properly, allowing blood to leak back.

A type of IE that affects the heart valves, typically caused by bacteria.

A group of symptoms that can be seen in IE, including fever, nausea, and weight loss.

A type of echocardiogram where the probe is placed across the chest wall to visualize the heart. It has lower sensitivity compared to TEE.

A type of echocardiogram where the probe is passed through the esophagus to visualize the heart. It has higher sensitivity and specificity compared to TTE for diagnosing and visualizing vegetations.

Highly mobile tissues growing on valves, shunt segments, electrodes, or abscesses, or indicative of new prosthetic valve dehiscence (where the valve is 'rocking' because the sutures aren't properly fixed to the wall).

Damage to the valve, particularly the leaflet, or obstruction caused by growing vegetation. This can occur as a complication of endocarditis.

A set of criteria used to diagnose infective endocarditis, based on clinical and laboratory findings.

One of the minor criteria for diagnosing infective endocarditis. These are small, painless, erythematous or hemorrhagic macular or nodular micro abscesses caused by septic emboli.

One of the minor criteria for diagnosing infective endocarditis. These are painful nodules at the pulps of the fingers, caused by immune complex-mediated vasculitis.

One of the minor criteria for diagnosing infective endocarditis. These are flame-shaped lesions under the nails, caused by small hemorrhages.

Flat, painless, macular red lesions with white or pale centers found on the retina.

A strand-like formation that grows on the heart valve and can cause serious complications.

Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart, often involving heart valves.

A type of endocarditis that affects prosthetic heart valves.

A specific type of endocarditis involving the aortic valve.

A medical procedure used to visualize the heart and its chambers in detail.

The use of antibiotics to treat an infection.

Surgery may be necessary for endocarditis if antibiotic therapy fails, or if the condition is severe.

IE on or near electrodes is a serious complication where the implanted device becomes infected. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common culprit. Electrode removal may be necessary if infection is present, though embolisms can occur during the procedure.

IV drug abusers are at high risk for infective endocarditis due to frequent exposure to contaminated needles. This leads to aggressive infections, commonly affecting the tricuspid valve. The right side of the heart is most affected because the veins drain back into it.

The tricuspid valve is most commonly affected in IV drug users due to the location of the veins draining into the right side of the heart.

Prosthetic valve implants, previous IE, and congenital heart disease patients are at high risk for IE, and should receive prophylaxis for high-risk dental procedures.

TEE (Transesophageal Echocardiogram) is an ultrasound exam done in the aortic view to visualize the heart. It plays a crucial role in diagnosing IE by showing signs of infection, like vegetations (small growths on the heart valves) on the electrodes.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is an infection of the heart's inner lining and valves. It develops when bacteria or germs enter the bloodstream and attach to the heart's inner lining.

Mortality rate for right-sided IE is less than 10%, which is lower than for the left side, but there is a higher likelihood of recurrence. Surgery is often necessary.

IE on or near electrodes is a serious complication where the implanted device becomes infected. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common culprit. Electrode removal may be necessary if infection is present, though embolisms can occur during the procedure.

The most common causing agent is Staphylococcus aureus, but other infectious agents, like pseudomonas, gram-negative bacteria, fungi, and combinations of bacteria can also cause IE.

The symptoms of IE include fever, septic pulmonary embolisation, cough, hemoptysis (coughing up blood), and pulmonary abscesses.