Endocarditis

What is endocarditis?

• The inflammation of the inner layer (endocardium) of heart chambers and valves is called endocarditis.
• If this inflammation is caused by infection, it is called infective endocarditis.
• This condition can cause abnormal growth in the heart valve or inside the heart.
• Over time, this abnormal growth can destroy heart tissue, leading to heart failure or heart-related problems.
• This can also cause a stroke if they block the blood vessels in the brain.
• Early treatment gives beneficial outcomes and preventing complications.

What are the causes of endocarditis?

• Bacterial infection
• Fungal infection
• Connective tissue disease
• Cancer

What are the symptoms of endocarditis?

• Fever with chills
• Muscle spasms
• Fatigue
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling in feet & ankles
• Night sweats
• Heart murmurs

Who increases the risk of developing endocarditis?

• H/o of heart valve replacement surgery
• Abnormal or damaged heart valve
• H/o endocarditis
• Congenital heart defect
• Intravenous drug abuse
• Dental procedures

What are the complications of endocarditis?

• Heart failure: Due to valvular insufficiency and blocks in coronary arteries from valvular vegetations.
• Valvular regurgitation: Due to conduction abnormalities.
• Brain stroke

How is endocarditis diagnosed?

• Blood test & blood culture: To rule out the infection, inflammation & causative organism
• Chest X-ray
• CT scan
• Echocardiogram ( Transesophageal echocardiogram): To evaluate valvular dysfunction
• Electrocardiogram: To check the electrical activity of the heart

How is endocarditis treated?

• Intravenous antibiotic therapy for 4 to 6 weeks
• If endocarditis caused by abnormal or damaged heart valve, replacement of a heart valve is done

How is endocarditis prevented?

• Reduce the risk of developing infective endocarditis by maintaining good hygienic techniques.

Antibiotic prophylactic therapy in case of flu-like symptoms may reduce the recurrent endocarditis and relevant risk factors