Infective endocarditis

Question 1

What is infective endocarditis?

Answer 1

• Infection of the endocardium

- Usually causes most damage on the heart valves

Question 2

How is infective endocarditis caused?

Answer 2

• Microbial colonisation of thrombi on endocardial surface abnormalities

Question 3

What is the main organisms that causes infective endocarditis?

Answer 3

• Streptococci which live in the mouth

(because of this dental procedures which cause oral bacteria to be introduced into the blood stream are likely to be a major source of endocarditis risk)

Question 4

When should a patient be given antibiotic prophylaxis if they have rheumatic fever?

Answer 4

• ONLY if they have heart valve damage from the condition

Question 5

Give the process of endocarditis formation? (7 points)

Answer 5

Surface abnormalities -> haemodynamic changes -> turbulence -> platelet/fibrin deposition (thrombus) -> vegetation -> microbial attachment & multiplication -> Enlargement of vegetation

Question 6

What are possible physical findings of people with infective endocarditis? (7 points)

Answer 6

• Fever
• Heart murmur
• Embolic pneumonia e.g. splenic or renal infarction, cerebral emboli
• Skin manifestations
• Splenomegaly
• Septic complications
• Mycotic (infective) aneurism

Question 7

There is a significant risk of death from disease or its complications of IE. What % of patients die from it in the first instance?

Answer 7

• Can be up to 50%

Question 8

Antibiotic prophylaxis for dental procedures may be supplemented with chlorohexidine mouthwash, what are the 2 forms of this?

Answer 8

• Chlorhexidine gluconate gel 1% or Chlorhexidine gluconate mouthwash 0.2%
• Used 5 mins before procedure

Question 9

Look over infective endocarditis lecture

Answer 9

Not good lecture for flashcards