Endocarditis

Question 1

What is endocarditis?

Answer 1

bacterial infection of the endocardium and valves causing inflammation

Question 2

What are two requirements for endocarditis to occur?

Answer 2

1) bacteria must enter the cardiovascular system and survive
2) bacteria must adhere to the surface of the heart wall (sutures, defective valves are nice places since there are platelets and fibrin already in the area)

Question 3

What are the manifestations of endocarditis?

Answer 3

• manifestations of infection (fever, malaise…)
• valvular dysfunction secondary to infection
• murmur (swishing sound)
• distal embolization? (if colony of bacteria breaks off…)

Question 4

How is endocarditis diagnosed?

Answer 4

• culture and sensitivity from blood sample

- echocardiogram to visualize the heart

Question 5

How is endocarditis treated?

Answer 5

• eradicate the microbe (antibiotics)

- treat cardiac complications