Endocarditis
What is endocarditis?
Endocarditis is a serious infection of one of the four heart valves.
What causes endocarditis?
Endocarditis is caused by a growth of bacteria on one of the heart valves, leading to an infected mass called a "vegetation". The infection may be introduced during brief periods of having bacteria in the bloodstream, such as after dental work, colonoscopy, and other similar procedures.
What are the symptoms of endocarditis?
Patients with endocarditis can develop:
- 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, and
- occasionally, scattered small skin lesions.
In endocarditis, blood
cultures can often detect the
bacteria causing the
endocarditis. Patients can also develop anemia, blood in
urine, elevated white blood
cell count, and a new heart murmur. Who is at risk for endocarditis? People with existing diseases of
the heart valves
(aortic stenosis, mitral stenosis, mitral regurgitation, etc.) and people who have undergone heart valve replacements are at an increased risk of developing endocarditis. These people are usually given antibiotics prior to
any procedure which may introduce bacteria into the
bloodstream. This
includes routine dental work, minor surgery, and
procedures that may traumatize body tissues such as colonoscopy and gynecologic or urologic examinations. Examples of antibiotics used include oral amoxicillin (Amoxil) and erythromycin (Emycin, Eryc,PCE), as well as intramuscular or intravenous ampicillin, gentamicin, and vancomycin.
