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Endocarditis, Bacterial Endocarditis, Endocarditis Definition, Causes, Risk Factors, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment, Prevention, Signs, Acute Endocarditis, Chronic Endocarditis, Complications, Infection, Medicine, Prevention, Signs, Surgery, Therapy, Endocarditis Valve |
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| Home > Disease & Condition > E > Endocarditis |
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Endocarditis
Definition:
Endocarditis is an infection of the heart valves and the endocardium. The endocardium is the inner lining of the heart muscle.
Causes:
Causes include:
- Bacterial infection (most common cause)
- Viral or fungal infection
- Medical conditions that result in blood clotting too easily (This causes a noninfectious form.)
Risk Factors:
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.
- An artificial heart valve
- History of endocarditis
- History of rheumatic fever, which can damage heart valves
- Heart defects
- Enlarged heart
- Mitral valve prolapse
- History of IV drug use
- Recent procedures that can lead to bacterial endocarditis, including:
- Tooth cleaning
- Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy
- Bronchoscopy
- Surgery on the gastrointestinal, urinary, or respiratory tracts
- Gallbladder or prostate surgery
Symptoms:
Symptoms include:
- Fever, chills
- Weakness, low energy
- Sweatiness, especially at night
- Shortness of breath
- Cough
- Loss of appetite, weight loss
- Chest pain
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Painful red bumps on the fingers and toes
- Purple dots on the whites of the eyes, under the fingernails, and over the collarbone
- Painful red patches on the fingers, palms and soles
Diagnosis:
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. The doctor will check your heart for unusual heart sounds (called murmurs).
Tests include:
- Blood Tests – to check for infection
- Echocardiogram – a test that uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to examine the size, shape, and motion of the heart
Treatment:
Treatment may include:
Antibiotics – given through your veins for up to 4–8 weeks.
Surgery – to repair or replace the valve if it is severely damaged.
Prevention:
- If you are at risk for endocarditis during certain medical procedures, take antibiotics before the procedure. Medical conditions that require this preventive antibiotic therapy include:
- Heart defects
- Artificial heart valves
- History of endocarditis
- Never use illegal intravenous drugs.
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| Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. |
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