How Is Endocarditis Treated?

Hospitalization is often required initially to administer intravenous antibiotics. Long-term antibiotic therapy is required to eradicate the bacteria from the heart chambers and valves.

Therapy is usually administered for 6 weeks. The chosen antibiotic must be specific for the organism causing the condition. This is determined by the blood culture and the sensitivity tests.

If heart failure develops as a result of damaged heart valves, or if the infection is breaking off in little pieces, resulting in a series of strokes, or there is evidence of organ damage, surgery to replace the affected heart valve is usually needed.

Early treatment of endocarditis improves the chances of a good outcome.