Infective endocarditis: Difference between revisions
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Line 12: | Line 12: | ||
There are others, specially anything causing heart shape problems, weird [[murmurs]] or valve damage. | There are others, specially anything causing heart shape problems, weird [[murmurs]] or valve damage. | ||
===Clinical Features=== | ===Clinical Features=== | ||
The two things that should ring alarm bells: | The two things that should ring alarm bells are below. If you get them, move onto treatment: | ||
#[[Fever]], combined with | #[[Fever]], combined with | ||
#New onset [[murmur]]. | #New onset [[murmur]]. | ||
Other things that can happen include | |||
*[[Tiredness]] - this occurs in about 90% of patients! | |||
*New [[rashes]], [[joint pain]], and other signs of systemic [[infection]]. | |||
===Investigations=== | ===Investigations=== | ||
===Management=== | ===Management=== | ||
===Prognosis=== | ===Prognosis=== |
Revision as of 19:56, 6 December 2009
Definition
Infection of the heart valves.
Epidemiology
About 1 in 25,000 incidence rate.
Pathophysiology
Since the valves do not have their own blood supply, the immune system can't get white cells to the valves, making them susceptable to bacterial infection.
Risk Factors
- Prosthetic heart valve.
- Injecting drugs - can lead to staph infection from skin.
- Previous rheumatic fever - can cause damage to valves, making it easier for bacteria to stick on.
There are others, specially anything causing heart shape problems, weird murmurs or valve damage.
Clinical Features
The two things that should ring alarm bells are below. If you get them, move onto treatment:
Other things that can happen include
- Tiredness - this occurs in about 90% of patients!
- New rashes, joint pain, and other signs of systemic infection.