Infective endocarditis

Infective endocarditis is an <a href="/facts/Infection/182XrncP">infection</a> of the inner surface of the heart (<a href="/facts/Endocardium/d2fBPIGn">endocardium</a>), usually the <a href="/facts/Heart_valve/9pEYudb4">valves</a>. <a href="/facts/Signs_and_symptoms/BzP6MrTN">Signs and symptoms</a> may include <a href="/facts/Fever/waVxR2Ac">fever</a>, <a href="/facts/Petechia/thXfeF1Q">small areas of bleeding into the skin</a>, <a href="/facts/Heart_murmur/dTnJK96Q">heart murmur</a>, feeling tired, and <a href="/facts/Anemia/AgEPPmg8">low red blood cell count</a>. Complications may include <a href="/facts/Valvular_insufficiency/TS9qUX3g">backward blood flow in the heart</a>, <a href="/facts/Heart_failure/7fckX3Jm">heart failure</a> – the heart struggling to pump a sufficient amount of blood to meet the body's needs, <a href="/facts/Heart_block/ehuFjb1H">abnormal electrical conduction in the heart</a>, <a href="/facts/Stroke/DwpjdzY0">stroke</a>, and <a href="/facts/Kidney_failure/gsqb5nos">kidney failure</a>.
The cause is typically a <a href="/facts/Bacterial_infection/X5QcVN5j">bacterial infection</a> and less commonly a <a href="/facts/Fungal_infection/YVK551qC">fungal infection</a>. Risk factors include <a href="/facts/Valvular_heart_disease/jbURjwR9">valvular heart disease</a>, including <a href="/facts/Rheumatic_heart_disease/jbURjwR9">rheumatic disease</a>, <a href="/facts/Congenital_heart_disease/QsuPPC2Y">congenital heart disease</a>, <a href="/facts/Artificial_valves/qUuLILfm">artificial valves</a>, <a href="/facts/Hemodialysis/oB7fIKP7">hemodialysis</a>, <a href="/facts/Intravenous_drug_use/yuvAyTho">intravenous drug use</a>, and <a href="/facts/Electronic_pacemaker/b90Qt8ND">electronic pacemakers</a>. The bacteria most commonly involved are <a href="/facts/Streptococci/Fx8lJ0nz">streptococci</a> or <a href="/facts/Staphylococci/maRQMH6E">staphylococci</a>. Diagnosis is suspected based on symptoms and supported by <a href="/facts/Blood_cultures/TSNpNFUb">blood cultures</a> or <a href="/facts/Echocardiogram/X0rQzVe3">ultrasound</a> of the heart. There is also a <a href="/facts/Noninfective_endocarditis/KXH2UGd3">noninfective</a> form of <a href="/facts/Endocarditis/SlaH14C3">endocarditis</a>.
The usefulness of <a href="/facts/Antibiotics/sF1kIfxg">antibiotics</a> following <a href="/facts/Dental_procedure/p8b1zmts">dental procedures</a> for prevention is unclear. Some recommend them for people at high risk. Treatment is generally with <a href="/facts/Intravenous_antibiotics/sF1kIfxg">intravenous antibiotics</a>. The choice of antibiotics is based on the results of blood cultures. Occasionally <a href="/facts/Heart_surgery/t34fz1hc">heart surgery</a> is required.
The number of people affected is about 5 per 100,000 per year. Rates, however, vary between regions of the world. Infective endocarditis occurs in males more often than in females. The risk of death among those infected is about 25%. Without treatment, it is almost universally fatal. Improved diagnosis and treatment options have significantly enhanced the life expectancy of patients with infective endocarditis, particularly with congenital heart disease.

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Infective endocarditis