Medium urgency
-Moderately severe
Endocarditis is the inflammation of the inner lining of the heart valves and chambers, called the endocardium.
It is caused by a bacterial infection or, rarely, by viruses or fungi.
Symptoms may occur suddenly (fever and rapid heart rate, fatigue) or slowly (mild fever, weight loss, excessive sweating, anemia and freckle-like skin spots on the palms of the hands, nails, soles of the feet and whites of the eyes).
Diagnosis is made by a detailed clinical history, physical examination, electrocardiogram, blood tests with cultures, chest X-ray and echocardiogram.
Treatment is based on the administration of intravenous antibiotics and medical treatment of symptoms. If there are severe complications, surgery may be required.
- Daniel J Sexton. Epidemiology, risk factors, and microbiology of infective endocarditis. UpToDate. Oct 29, 2015.
- Daniel J Sexton, Vance G Fowler, Jr. Clinical manifestations and evaluation of adults with suspected native valve endocarditis. UpToDate. Feb 10, 2016.
- Daniel J Sexton. Antimicrobial therapy of native valve endocarditis. UpToDate. Jul 05, 2016.
- Baddour LM, Wilson WR, Bayer AS, et al. Infective Endocarditis in Adults: Diagnosis, Antimicrobial Therapy, and Management of Complications: A Scientific Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the American Heart Association. Circulation 2015; 132:1435.
- Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute. Performance Standards for Susceptibility Testing. Twenty-second informational supplement CLSI document M100-S22, vol 32. Wayne, PA 2012.
- Karchmer AW. Endocarditis infecciosa. Harrison. Manual de Medicina. 16º edición. 390-398.
Dr. Elvira Moreno
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