infective endocarditis and rheumatic heart disease

Question 1

what is infective endocarditis?

Answer 1

inflammation of the endocardium by bacterial infection

usually involves the valves and is characterised by vegetations: platelets, fibrin, and microorganisms

Question 2

where can we best see vegetations?

Answer 2

on an echo scan, appear as white masses attached to the valves

Question 3

what are some of the predisposing conditions to endocarditis?

Answer 3

prosthetic valves
cardiac devices
IV drug users (bacteria from skin gets in bloodstream)
congenital heart disease
rheumatic heart disease
mitral valve prolapse

Question 4

most common signs and symptoms of endocarditis?

Answer 4

fever (85%)
heart murmur (90%)

Question 5

what are some of the sings of endocarditis upon examination?

Answer 5

Osler’s nodes on hands

splinter haemorrhages

Question 6

why do we do blood cultures in endocarditis?

Answer 6

to isolate the pathogen causing it so we can find out what antibiotic is required

at least 3 sets of bloods, 30 mins apart

Question 7

what are the 4 main bacteria that cause endocarditis?

Answer 7

staphylococcus aureus
streptococci (viridans)
enterococci
coagulase negative staphylococci

HACEK group can also cause