Infectious endocarditis

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Heart, section through the middle

Heart, front view

Infective endocarditis

Janeway lesion on the finger

Infectious endocarditis

Alternative Names:

Endocarditis - infectious
Treatment:

Hospitalization is required initially to administer intravenous antibiotics. Long-term, high-dose antibiotic therapy is required to eradicate the bacteria from the heart chambers and vegetations on the 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 sensitivities tests.

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If heart failure develops as a result of damaged heart valves, surgery to replace the affected heart valve may be indicated.

Expectations (prognosis):

Early treatment of bacterial endocarditis generally has a good outcome. Heart valves may be damaged if diagnosis and treatment is delayed.

Complications:

Congestive heart failure if treatment is delayed
Blood clots or emboli that travel to brain, kidneys, lungs, or abdomen, causing severe damage
Arrhythmias (rapid or irregular heartbeat), such as atrial fibrillation
Glomerulonephritis
Severe valve damage
Stroke
Brain abscess
Neurologic changes
Jaundice

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you note the following symptoms during or after treatment: