Endocarditis

Question 1

What is Endocarditis

What are 2 major risk factor?

Answer 1

Infection of the endocardium

• Bicuspid aortic valve (Fusion of adjacent cusps to form a single abnormal valve)
• Injectable drug use

Question 2

How does a Bicuspid Aortic Valve increase risk of Endocarditis

Answer 2

• Abnormal blood flow over valve and abnormal valve tissue

- Microbes in blood stick to valve cusp and form a biofilm (vegetation)

Question 3

What is the hallmark of endocarditis

Answer 3

Vegetation of valves

Question 4

In Endocarditis, which valve is affected?

What do you hear? Where?

Answer 4

Aortic valve
Systolic murmur

Upper right sternal border at the 2nd right intercostal space

Question 5

Which bacteria is the main cause of endocarditis

How does it appear on a gram stain

Answer 5

Viridans streptococci

Gram +ve cocci in chains

Question 6

How do you treat Endocarditis specifically and supportively

Answer 6

IV penicillin- Specific

Gentamicin- Supportive