Endocarditis

Definition

Endocarditis is an inflammation of the inside lining of the heart chambers and heart valves (endocardium).

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Endocarditis can involve the heart muscle, heart valves, or lining of the heart. Most people who develop endocarditis have underlying valvular heart disease.

Injection drug use, recent dental surgery, permanent central venous access lines, prior valve surgery, and weakened valves are risk factors for developing endocarditis.

Bacterial infection is the most common source of endocarditis. However, it can also be caused by fungi. In some cases, no causative organism can be identified.

Related topics:

• culture-negative endocarditis
• infective endocarditis

Symptoms

• fatigue
• weakness
• fever
• chills
• night sweats, may be severe
• weight loss
• muscle aches and pains
• heart murmur
• shortness of breath with activity
• swelling of feet, legs, abdomen
• blood in the urine
• sweating, excessive
• red painless skin spots, located on the palms and soles (called Janeway lesions)
• red, painful nodes in the pads of the fingers and toes (called Osler's nodes)
• paleness
• nail abnormalities (splinter hemorrhages under the nails)
• joint pain
• abnormal urine color

Note: Endocarditis symptoms may develop slowly (subacute) or suddenly (acute).

Signs and tests

A history of congenital heart disease, rheumatic fever, recent dental work, or intravenous drug use raises the index of suspicion. Physical examination may show an enlarged spleen.

The examiner may detect a new heart murmur, or a change in a previous heart murmur. Examination of the nails may show splinter hemorrhages.

Eye examination may show retinal hemorrhages with a central area of clearing (called Roth's spots), and petechiae (small, pinpoint hemorrhages) may be detected in the conjunctiva. The fingertips may become enlarged and the nails may curve (clubbing).

Tests:

• repeated blood culture and sensitivity (best test for detection)
• serology for certain bacteria that may be hard to detect by blood culture
• ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate)
• CBC may show a high white count and/or low grade, microcytic (small red blood cells) anemia
• ECG
• echocardiogram
• transesophageal echocardiogram
• chest x-ray

Treatment

Hospitalization is often required initially to administer intravenous antibiotics. Long-term antibiotic therapy is required to eradicate the bacteria from the heart chambers and valves.

Therapy is usually administered for 6 weeks. The chosen antibiotic must be specific for the organism causing the condition. This is determined by the blood culture and the sensitivity tests.

If heart failure develops as a result of damaged heart valves, or if the infection is breaking off in little pieces, resulting in a series of strokes, or there is evidence of organ damage, surgery to replace the affected heart valve is usually needed.

Expectations (prognosis)

Early treatment of endocarditis improves the chances of a good outcome.

Complications

• congestive heart failure if treatment is delayed
• blood clots or an infected clots from the endocarditis that travel to the brain, kidneys, lungs, or abdomen, causing severe damage to and infection of these organs
• arrhythmias (rapid or irregular heartbeat), such as atrial fibrillation
• glomerulonephritis
• severe heart valve damage
• stroke
• brain abscess
• brain or nervous system changes
• jaundice

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if you note the following symptoms during or after treatment:

• weight loss without change in diet
• blood in urine
• chest pain
• weakness
• fatigue
• numbness
• fever

Prevention

Preventive antibiotics are often given to people with predisposing heart conditions before dental procedures or surgeries involving the respiratory, urinary, or intestinal tract. Continued medical follow-up is advised for people with a history of endocarditis.

Illustrations

Heart, section through the middle

Heart, front view

Janeway lesion - close-up

Janeway lesion on the finger

Heart valves

Page Content:

Valve infection ; heart infection valve