Endocarditis

It is an inflammation of the inner lining of the chambers and (endocardial) heart

valves. It is caused by a bacterial infection or, rarely, fungal infection.

Causes
Endocarditis can involve the heart muscle, valves or lining of the heart. Some people
who become ill with endocarditis have:

A congenital heart defect

A damaged or abnormal heart valve
History of endocarditis
A new heart valve after surgery

Endocarditis starts with the entry of germs into the bloodstream which then travel to the
heart.
Bacterial infection is the most common cause of endocarditis.
Endocarditis can also be caused by fungi, such as candida.
In some cases, you can not find the cause.
Germs are more likely to enter the bloodstream during:

Central Venous Catheters

Injection drug use, by the use of dirty needles (unsterilized)
Recent dental surgery
Other minor surgeries or procedures in the airways, urinary tract infections, infected
skin or bones and muscles

Symptoms
Symptoms of endocarditis may develop slowly or suddenly.
Fever, chills and sweating are common symptoms. These sometimes can:

To be present for several days before any other symptoms appear

Come and go or be more noticeable at night

You may also have fatigue, weakness and pain in the

muscles or joints. Other signs include:

Small areas of bleeding under the nail ( splinter hemorrhages )
Red skin spots (skin), painless on the palms of hands and soles of the feet (injuries
Janeway )
Red and painful lymph in the fingertips of the hands and feet (nodules Osler )
Shortness of breath with activity
Swelling of feet, legs and abdomen

Exams and Tests

The health care provider may detect a new heart murmur or a change in a
previous heart murmur. The eye exam may show bleeding in the retina with a central
clearance. This finding is known as spots Roth . There may be small areas of bleeding
on the surface of the eye or eyelids.
Tests that may be done include:
Blood culture to help identify the bacteria or fungus is causing the infection.
Complete blood count (CBC), C reactive protein (CRP) or sedimentation rate
erythrocyte (ESR acronym).
An echocardiography routine or echocardiography transesophageal to observe heart
valves.

Treatment
You may need to be in the hospital for intravenous antibiotics. Blood cultures and blood
tests will help the care provider to choose the best antibiotic.
Then, antibiotic therapy will be needed long term.
In most cases, people need therapy for 4 to 6 weeks to completely eliminate all
bacteria from the chambers and heart valves.
Antibiotic treatments that start in the hospital should
continue at home. Usually it needs surgery to replace
heart valve when:
The infection is spreading into small fragments, which causes a series of strokes.
The person has heart failure as a result of damage to the heart valves.

 There is evidence of more serious organ damage.

Expectations (prognosis)
Getting immediate treatment for endocarditis improves the chances of a
good outcome. The most serious problems that can occur include:
Brain abscess
Further damage to the heart valves, causing heart failure
Spread of infection to other parts of the body
Stroke caused by small clots or infection fragments that break off and travel to the brain

Call your provider

If you notice these symptoms during or after treatment consult your doctor:
Blood in the urine
Chest pain
Fatigue
Fever
Numbness
Weakness
Weight loss without change in diet

Prevention
The American Heart Association ( American Heart Association ) recommends
preventive antibiotics for people at risk for infectious endocarditis, such as those with:
Certain congenital heart defects
Transplants of heart valve problems
Artificial heart valves (prosthesis)
Previous history of infectious endocarditis
These people should receive antibiotics when they must undergo:
Dental procedures likely to cause them bleeding
Procedures involving the respiratory tract
Procedures that compromise the urinary system
Procedures that compromise the digestive system
Procedures skin infections and soft tissue infections

Effect of Alcohol and Snuff

The snuff is a major risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease. Damages
arteries of the heart (coronary arteries) and the rest of the body, enabling clogging inside
and myocardial infarction occurs. Although there is no conclusive evidence, some studies
suggest that the abandonment of
snuff can improve symptoms and increase survival in patients with heart failure. In any
case, quitting smoking is always beneficial for our body, so that the patient should be
provided with all kinds of help and support necessary to achieve it. In hospitals often find
Tobacco Addiction, expert in getting patients to quit smoking successfully. There are also
today many highly effective drugs to remove nicotine addiction.
The spirit has certain nega ve eects on heart func on. In pa ents with heart
failure consump on it is not prohibited, but should not exceed 12 glasses of wine a day.
Pa ents with heart failure whose cause was alcohol in large quan es should completely
give up alcohol. If they do the heart may recover, returning to have a normal size and
strength. No clutch, if the pa ent retakes alcohol, even in small amounts and sporadically,
it may occur again a great worsening of heart func on.