Infective Endocarditis Overview

Infective endocarditis is a disease caused by microbial infection that affects the native heart valves or a prosthetic valve, or affects the endothelial lining of a cardiac chamber or blood vessel.

Infective endocarditis occurs due to bacteremia and endothelial injury secondary to the presence of a high-velocity jet on predisposed endocardial lining.

The major criteria for diagnosing infective endocarditis using the Duke Criteria are positive blood cultures and endocardial involvement. Positive blood cultures can mean the blood is infected, and endocardial involvement can be confirmed by echocardiography.

<p>Pyrexia ≥ 38°C (A), Vasculitic phenomenon (B), Blood cultures suggestive: organism grown but not achieving major criteria (C), Embolic phenomenon (D), Intravenous drug misuse (E), Predisposing valvular or cardiac abnormality (F)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>2 major criteria (A), pathology/histology findings (B), 1 major and 3 minor criteria (C), 5 minor criteria (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>1 major and 1 minor criteria (A), 3 minor criteria (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>resolution of manifestations of IE with 4 days antimicrobial therapy or less (A), firm alternate diagnosis (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The typical treatment method for infective endocarditis is hospitalization with antibiotics and potentially surgery.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Potential complications of infective endocarditis include heart failure, stroke, and embolic events.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The typical duration of antibiotic treatment for infective endocarditis is 4-6 weeks or longer in some cases.</p> Signup and view all the answers

A serious infection of the heart's inner lining, valves, or blood vessels.

Bacteria, rickettsia, chlamydia, or fungi can cause infective endocarditis.

A condition where bacteria enter the bloodstream, often due to a previous infection.

Damage to the inner lining of the heart, often caused by high-pressure blood flow, like in mitral regurgitation or aortic regurgitation.

A condition where blood leaks back through the mitral valve during heart contraction.

A condition where blood leaks back through the aortic valve during heart relaxation.

A hole in the wall between the ventricles of the heart.

A high fever that persists for more than 5 days and doesn't respond to regular antibiotics.

A change in the sound of a heart murmur, which can indicate a problem with a heart valve.

A condition where the heart can't pump blood efficiently, leading to fluid buildup in the lungs.

A blockage of a blood vessel caused by a clot or other material traveling from another part of the body.

A blockage of a blood vessel in the brain, leading to stroke symptoms.

A blockage of a blood vessel in a limb, causing pain, numbness, and potential loss of function.

A condition where the kidneys aren't functioning properly, leading to waste buildup in the blood.

Administering antibiotics to treat the infection before the specific cause is identified.

Antibiotic therapy tailored to the specific type of bacteria identified in blood cultures.

Treatment options include medication and surgery, depending on the severity and location of the infection.

Surgical replacement of a damaged heart valve with an artificial one.

Removing a blood clot from a blood vessel in a limb.

The duration of antibiotic treatment depends on the type of bacteria, but it typically lasts for 4-6 weeks, and can be even longer in certain cases.