Cardiovascular

Infective Endocarditis

Infective endocarditis is infection of the endocardium, usually a valve or intracardiac device; obtain adequate blood cultures, image early and involve the endocarditis team urgently.

Definition

Infective endocarditis is microbial infection of the endocardial surface, usually a native or prosthetic valve but also an intracardiac device or other endocardial material, producing vegetation and variable local and systemic complications.

First principles

Bacteraemia seeds damaged or prosthetic endocardium

Microorganisms adhere to injured valves, prostheses or devices within platelet-fibrin vegetations. The infection can destroy valve tissue, cause regurgitation and spread into the annulus or myocardium.

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