Infective endocarditis Flashcards
Infective endocarditis?
Infection of intracardiac endocardial structures (mainly heart valves).
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/267/421/674/a_image_thumb.png?1549803017)
Infective endocarditis causes?
Streptococci, staphylococci, enterococci
Infective endocarditis pathophysiology?
vegetations form when organisms deposit on the heart valves during a period of bacteraemia.
These destroy valve leaflets and invade myocardium leading to abscess cavities.
Activation of the immune system can lead to formation of immune complexes.
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/267/421/676/a_image_thumb.png?1549803174)
Infective endocarditis risk factors?
Abnormal valves, prosthetic heart valves, turbulent blood flow, recent dental work.
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/267/421/677/a_image_thumb.jpg?1549803254)
Infective endocarditis epidemiology?
16 per million in UK
Infective endocarditis symptoms?
Fever with chills/sweats/rigors, malaise, arthralgia, confusion, skin lesions.
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/267/421/679/a_image_thumb.jpg?1549803390)
Infective endocarditis signs?
Pyrexia, tachycardia, signs of anaemia, clubbing, new regurgitant murmur or muffled heart sounds, splenomegaly, vasculitic lesions (ruth spots on retina).
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/267/421/680/a_image_thumb.png?1549803331)
Infective endocarditis investigations?
bloods (FBC high neutrophils, normocytic anaemia, high ESR/CRP, lots have rheumatoid factor positive),
urinalysis (microscopic haematuria, proteinuria)
blood culture,
echocardiography
Infective endocarditis management?
Antibiotics for 4-6 weeks (benzylpenicillin, gentamicin), surgery for urgent valve replacement if poor antibiotic response.
Infective endocarditis complications (6)?
Valve incompetence,
intracardiac fistulae or abscess,
aneurysm, heart failure,
renal failure,
glomerulonephritis,
arterial emboli