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Endocarditis

Valve infection; Staphylococcus aureus - endocarditis; Enterococcus - endocarditis; Streptococcus viridans - endocarditis; Candida - endocarditis

 

Endocarditis is inflammation of the inside lining of the heart chambers and heart valves (endocardium). It is caused by a bacterial or, rarely a fungal infection.

Causes

 

Endocarditis can involve the heart muscle, heart valves, or lining of the heart. Some people who develop endocarditis have a:

  • Birth defect of the heart
  • Damaged or abnormal heart valve
  • History of endocarditis
  • New heart valve after surgery
  • Parenteral (intravenous) drug addiction

Endocarditis begins when germs enter the bloodstream and 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, no cause can be found.

Germs are most likely to enter the bloodstream during:

  • Central venous access lines
  • Injection drug use, from the use of unclean (unsterile) needles
  • Recent dental surgery
  • Other surgeries or minor procedures to the breathing tract, urinary tract, infected skin, or bones and muscles

 

Symptoms

 

Symptoms of endocarditis may develop slowly or suddenly.

Fever, chills, and sweating are frequent symptoms. These sometimes can:

  • Be present for days before any other symptoms appear
  • Come and go, or be more noticeable at nighttime

You may also have fatigue, weakness, and aches and pains in the muscles or joints.

Other signs can include:

  • Small areas of bleeding under the nails ( splinter hemorrhages )
  • Red, painless skin spots on the palms and soles (Janeway lesions)
  • Red, painful nodes in the pads of the fingers and toes (Osler nodes)
  • Shortness of breath with activity
  • Swelling of feet, legs, abdomen

 

Exams and Tests

 

The health care provider may detect a new heart murmur , or a change in a past heart murmur.

An eye exam may show bleeding in the retina and a central area of clearing. This finding is known as Roth spots. There may be small, pinpoint areas of bleeding on the surface of the eye or the eyelids.

Tests that may be done include:

  • Blood culture to help identify the bacteria or fungus that is causing the infection
  • Complete blood count (CBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), or erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)
  • An  echocardiogram to look at the heart valves

 

Treatment

 

You may need to be in hospital to get antibiotics through a vein (IV or intravenously). Blood cultures and tests will help your provider choose the best antibiotic.

You will then need long-term antibiotic therapy.

  • People most often need therapy for 4 to 6 weeks to fully kill all the bacteria from the heart chambers and valves.
  • Antibiotic treatments that are started in the hospital will need to be continued at home.

Surgery to replace the heart valve is often needed when:

  • The infection is breaking off in little pieces, resulting in strokes.
  • The person develops heart failure as a result of damaged heart valves.
  • There is evidence of more severe organ damage.

 

Outlook (Prognosis)

 

Getting treatment for endocarditis right away improves the chances of a good outcome.

More serious problems that may develop include:

  • Brain abscess
  • Further damage to the heart valves, causing heart failure
  • Spread of the infection to other parts of the body
  • Stroke, caused by small clots or pieces of the infection breaking off and traveling to the brain

 

When to Contact a Medical Professional

 

Call your provider if you notice the following symptoms during or after treatment:

  • Blood in urine
  • Chest pain
  • Fatigue
  • Fever that doesn't go away in two or three days
  • Fever
  • Numbness
  • Weakness
  • Weight loss without change in diet

 

Prevention

 

The American Heart Association recommends preventive antibiotics for people at risk for infectious endocarditis, such as those with:

  • Certain birth defects of the heart
  • Heart transplant and valve problems
  • Man-made (prosthetic) heart valves
  • Past history of endocarditis

These people should receive antibiotics when they have:

  • Dental procedures that are likely to cause bleeding
  • Procedures involving the breathing tract
  • Procedures involving the urinary tract system
  • Procedures involving the digestive tract
  • Procedures on skin infections and soft tissue infections

 

 

References

Baddour LM, Freeman WK, Suri RM, Wilson WR. Cardiovascular infections. In: Mann DL, Zipes DP, Libby P, Bonow RO, Braunwald E, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine . 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 64.

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(15):1435-1486. PMID: 26373316 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26373316 .

Fowler VG Jr, Scheld WM, Bayer AS. Endocarditis and intravascular infections. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases . 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 82.

 
  • Heart, section through the middle - illustration

    The interior of the heart is composed of valves, chambers, and associated vessels.

    Heart, section through the middle

    illustration

  • Heart, front view - illustration

    The external structures of the heart include the ventricles, atria, arteries and veins. Arteries carry blood away from the heart while veins carry blood into the heart. The vessels colored blue indicate the transport of blood with relatively low content of oxygen and high content of carbon dioxide. The vessels colored red indicate the transport of blood with relatively high content of oxygen and low content of carbon dioxide.

    Heart, front view

    illustration

  • Janeway lesion - close-up - illustration

    Janeway lesions are seen in people with acute bacterial endocarditis. They appear as flat, painless, red to bluish-red spots on the palms and soles.

    Janeway lesion - close-up

    illustration

  • Janeway lesion on the finger - illustration

    Janeway lesions appear as flat, painless, red or reddish-blue patches on the hands and soles of people with acute bacterial endocarditis.

    Janeway lesion on the finger

    illustration

  • Heart valves - illustration

    The valves of the heart open and close to control the flow of blood entering or leaving the heart.

    Heart valves

    illustration

    • Heart, section through the middle - illustration

      The interior of the heart is composed of valves, chambers, and associated vessels.

      Heart, section through the middle

      illustration

    • Heart, front view - illustration

      The external structures of the heart include the ventricles, atria, arteries and veins. Arteries carry blood away from the heart while veins carry blood into the heart. The vessels colored blue indicate the transport of blood with relatively low content of oxygen and high content of carbon dioxide. The vessels colored red indicate the transport of blood with relatively high content of oxygen and low content of carbon dioxide.

      Heart, front view

      illustration

    • Janeway lesion - close-up - illustration

      Janeway lesions are seen in people with acute bacterial endocarditis. They appear as flat, painless, red to bluish-red spots on the palms and soles.

      Janeway lesion - close-up

      illustration

    • Janeway lesion on the finger - illustration

      Janeway lesions appear as flat, painless, red or reddish-blue patches on the hands and soles of people with acute bacterial endocarditis.

      Janeway lesion on the finger

      illustration

    • Heart valves - illustration

      The valves of the heart open and close to control the flow of blood entering or leaving the heart.

      Heart valves

      illustration

    Tests for Endocarditis

     

       

      Review Date: 11/27/2016

      Reviewed By: Arnold Lentnek, MD, Infectious Diseases Medical Practice of NY and Clinical Research Centers of CT. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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