Saturday, February, 11, 2012

Culture-negative endocarditis

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Endocarditis (culture-negative)


Treatment

You will be admitted to the hospital so you can receive medicines through a vein. Long-term, high-dose antibiotic or antifungal treatment is needed. Treatment is usually given for 4 - 6 weeks.

Surgery may be needed to replace damaged heart valves.


Support Groups


Expectations (prognosis)

Heart valves may be damaged if diagnosis and treatment are delayed.


Complications
  • Abnormal connections within the heart
  • Blood clots that travel to brain, kidneys, lungs, or abdomen
  • Brain abscess
  • Congestive heart failure
  • Rapid or irregular heartbeats, including atrial fibrillation
  • Severe valve damage
  • Stroke

Calling your health care provider


Review Date: 04/27/2010
Reviewed By: Daniel Levy, MD, Infectious Disease, Maryland Family Care, Lutherville, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)