Infective endocarditis: Difference between revisions
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===Risk Factors=== | ===Risk Factors=== | ||
*Prosthetic heart valve. | *Prosthetic heart valve. | ||
*Recent dental work. | |||
*Injecting [[drugs]] - can lead to [[staph]] infection from skin. | *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. | *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. | 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 are below. If you get them, move onto treatment: | The two things that should ring alarm bells are below. If you get them, move onto treatment: | ||
Revision as of 20:01, 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.
- Recent dental work.
- 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.
Investigations
Management
Gotta be ready for clots.