ENDOCARDITIS

Overview & Facts

  • Serious inflammation of one of the four heart valves.
  • Caused by a growth of bacteria on one of the heart valves, leading to “vegetation”, an infected mass.
    • Infection may occur during short periods of having bacteria in the bloodstream,
      • After dental work, colonoscopy, etc.

Types & Symptoms

Symptoms:

  • Fever
  • Fatigue
  • Chills
  • Weakness
  • Aching joints and muscles
  • Night sweats
  • Edema (fluid collection) in the leg(s), foot (feet), and abdomen
  • Malaise
  • Shortness of breath
  • Scattered small skin lesions

Blood cultures can detect bacterial cause of the disease.

Patients can also develop:

  • Anemia
  • Hematuria (blood in urine)
  • Elevated white blood cell count
  • New heart murmur

Diagnosis & Medications

DIAGNOSIS

  • Physician may do/request:
    • History & Physical Exam
    • ECG – to detect vegetations
      • Transesophageal echochardiography – most accurate method
    • Blood culture

 

RECOMMENDED MEDICATIONS

  • Antibiotics
    • Through IV, for 4-6 weeks
  • Surgical valve replacement

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