Endocarditis
Endocarditis is an inflammation of the inner layer of the heart the endocardium. It usually involves the heart valves (native or prosthetic valves). Other structures that may be involved include the interventricular septum the chordae tendineae the mural endocardium or even the surfaces of intracardiac devices. Endocarditis is characterized by a prototypic lesion the vegetation which is a mass of platelets fibrin microcolonies of microorganisms and scant in?ammatory cells.
If you have a fever, shaking chills or evidence of travelling clots in your body call 000 and ask for help. In emergency room a doctor would request a chest xray, take your blood for culture and perform other necessary tests including echocardiogram. You may receive appropriate IV (through the vein) antibiotics as well as fluid. Endocarditis usually requires a minimum of 4 weeks IV antibiotics and may cause heart failure, infected travelling clots to the brain, spleen, lung and other organs. In some severe cases heart surgery and valve replacement is the main therapy.
Bacterial endocarditis is not usually transmittable.- Links
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endocarditis
- Relevant Occupations
- Infectious Disease Specialist
- Cardiologist
