Definition

The endocardium is the inner lining of the heart muscle. Endocarditis is an infection of this lining and the heart valves.

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)

Bacterial Endocarditis

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Risk Factors

Factors that increase your chance of endocarditis include:

• Having 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. A physical exam will be done. The doctor will check your heart for unusual heart sounds. These are called heart murmurs]]> .

Tests include:

• Blood tests—to check for infection
• ]]>Echocardiogram]]> —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 have a high risk of infection:

• You may need to take antibiotics before certain dental or medical procedures.
• Talk to your dentist or doctor before the procedure.

The American Heart Association guidelines recommend that preventive antibiotic therapy should be considered for individuals with the following cardiac conditions: *]]>

• Various forms of congenital heart disease (heart defects)
• Artificial heart valves
• History of endocarditis
• ]]>Heart transplant]]> recipients who have developed valve disease

Never use illegal IV drugs will also decrease your risk of infection.