What is infection of the endocardium?

Endocarditis is a rare and potentially fatal infection of the inner lining of the heart (the endocardium). It’s most commonly caused by bacteria entering the blood and travelling to the heart.

What is the most common complication of infective endocarditis?

Congestive heart failure caused by aortic valve insufficiency is the most common intracardiac complication of subacute endocarditis. It develops after months of untreated disease but may occur a full year following microbiological cure.

What is the most common cause of infective endocarditis?

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.

What are the risk factors for infective endocarditis?

Risk factors

• Older age. Endocarditis occurs most often in older adults over age 60.
• Artificial heart valves.
• Damaged heart valves.
• Congenital heart defects.
• Implanted heart device.
• A history of endocarditis.
• A history of illegal IV drug use.
• Poor dental health.

How long does it take to recover from endocarditis?

Depending on the severity of your condition, you’ll usually have to take antibiotics for 2 to 6 weeks. Your doctor will usually take a blood sample before prescribing antibiotics to make sure you’re given the most effective treatment.

Can you get endocarditis twice?

Treatment includes a long course of antibiotics. Some people require heart surgery to remove the infection and repair the damage. Individuals who have had endocarditis once are more likely to have it a second time.

Does endocarditis shorten your life?

“Infective endocarditis is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Several published studies have reported in-hospital mortality of 15 percent to 20 percent and 1-year mortality of 40 percent.

Does endocarditis ever go away?

Endocarditis, most often from a bacterial infection, inflames the lining of your heart valves and chambers. Treatment includes several weeks of antibiotics or other medicine and sometimes surgery. With quick, aggressive treatment, many people survive. Without treatment, endocarditis can be fatal.

Does endocarditis shorten life?

Infective endocarditis remains a disease associated with high mortality in certain groups of patients, with death resulting primarily from central nervous system complications and congestive heart failure.

Does endocarditis have long term effects?

Conclusions: Long term survival following infective endocarditis is 50% after 10 years and is predicted by early surgical treatment, age < 55 years, lack of congestive heart failure, and the initial presence of more symptoms of endocarditis.

What causes an endocardial infection?

The infection can be caused by bacteria introduced into the blood stream, usually through normal activity such as tooth brushing which causes minor injury to the lining of the mouth or gums. These bacteria can lodge on heart valves and cause infection of the endocardium.

What is infectious endocarditis (IE)?

Introduction: Infectious endocarditis (IE) is a potentially deadly disease without therapy and can cause a wide number of findings and symptoms, often resembling a flu-like illness, which makes diagnosis difficult.

What are the long-term effects of infective endocarditis (IE)?

In addition to the stress associated with being diagnosed with a potentially lethal infection, patients with IE routinely experience prolonged hospitalizations and adverse reactions to treatment, and undergo multiple invasive procedures.

Can bacteria in the gut cause endocarditis?

Usually, your immune system destroys any harmful bacteria that enter your bloodstream. However, bacteria that live in your mouth, throat or other parts of your body, such as your skin or your gut, can sometimes cause endocarditis under the right circumstances.