Pronounced: En-doh-kar-dite-iss
The endocardium is the inner lining of the heart muscle. Endocarditis is an infection of this lining and the heart valves.
Causes include:
Factors that increase your chance of endocarditis include:
Symptoms include:
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:
Treatment may include:
If you have a high risk of infection:
The American Heart Association guidelines recommend that preventive antibiotic therapy should be considered for individuals with the following cardiac conditions: *
Never use illegal IV drugs will also decrease your risk of infection.
RESOURCES:
American Heart Association
http://www.americanheart.org/
Heart Information Network
http://www.heartinfo.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
http://ww2.heartandstroke.ca/
University of Ottawa Heart Institute
http://www.ottawaheart.ca/
References:
Braunwald E, Zipes DP, Libby P, et al. Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Company; 2001.
Cecil RL, Goldman L, Bennett JC. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Company; 2000.
Rakel RE and Bope ET. Conn's Current Therapy 2001. 53rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Company; 2001.
*Updated Prevention section on 5/16/2007 according to the following study, as cited by DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance : Wilson W, Taubert KA, Gewitz M, et al. Prevention of infective endocarditis. Guidelines from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2007 Apr 19. [Epub ahead of print]
Last reviewed February 2009 by Igor Puzanov, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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