Endocarditis (Cardiac Diseases)

Question 1

infectious endocarditis

Answer 1

a bacterial infection of the endocardium and valves, leading to inflm
- endocardium = inner lining of heart

Question 2

how does bacteria get into endocardium

Answer 2

1. finds way to circulation (immunosuppressed?)
2. survives in bloodstream and evades all defence cells
3. adheres onto surface (surface is rough not smooth)

Question 3

what happens once bacteria attaches to surface of endocardium

Answer 3

• abn in blood will attract platelets
• no hemorrhage so platelets not needed
• platelets will create fibrin strands for bacteria to colonize

Question 4

Mnfts

Answer 4

• local and systemic S&S (fever, tired, SOB, angina)
• impaired valve Fx
• cardiac murmur (swishing sound)

Question 5

Cmplx

Answer 5

• distal embolization (reaches smaller vessel in systemic circuit and blocks blood flow)

Question 6

Dx

Answer 6

• difficult to Dx cause of location
• specific test: C&S to test blood for bacteria (3 days)
• specific test: blood serology (measure specific Abs in blood/not as accurate)
• non-specific test: procalcitonin, CPR, ESR, Differential, CBC
• although tissue damage from inflm, CKMB not released
• echocardiogram (determine location of infection)

Question 7

Tx

Answer 7

• Abx (antibiotics/take about 10-14 days to fix problems)

- Symptomatic management (deal w/ cardiac problems as they arise)