Endocarditis Flashcards
What is Endocarditis ?
Inflammation of the heart’s inner lining that lines the chambers.
Explain how endocarditis occurs and where it effects.
Explain as if this was a patient.
Microbial infection enters the bloodstream and can reach the endocardium. This is usually not an issue and is killed by our immune system; however, sometimes, the bacteria hang around long enough to find a damaged valve area. Valves are affected due to turbulent blood, which can destroy the endothelial layer and cause platelets and fibrin to collect. Here is where bacteria can attack called Vegetation, forming a biofilm that allows them to stick to each other. Most commonly, left valves and in areas of low pressure.
Risk factors for endocarditis
- Prosthetic valves
- Congenital heart defects
-Rheumatic Heart Diseasw - INtravenous Drug Abuse
What is a Native Valve ?
Own valve
What is a prosthetic valve
Surgical Valve
What are the symptoms of endocarditis ?
Symptoms
- Fever
- Murmurs
- Headache
- Sob
- Night sweats
- Persistent cough
- Swelling of feet, legs, or abdomen
- Paleness
- Splinter haemorrhages – Septic emboli
- Janeway lesions – Septic emboli
- Osler’s nodes – Immune reaction where antigen-antibody complexes form in random places.
How to diagnose/ treat endocarditis ?
- Multiple blood cultures
- Echocardiography
- Prolonged antibiotics 4-6 weeks, gentamycin + vancomycin.
- ? surgery.
What is the most likely organism to cause ACUTE endocarditis?
Staphylococcus aureus– ACUTE!!! Bacteria found on the skin, contracted from intravenous drug use!!! Can affect both damaged AND healthy valves. Causes LARGE vegetation that can destroy the valve.
What is the most likely organism to cause a SUB-ACUTE endocarditis?
Viridans streptococci – SUB- ACUTE (Most common)! This is found within the mouth and usually affects valves of some previous type of damage, creating small vegetation.
What is the most common organism to cause endcarditis ?
Viridans streptococci – SUB- ACUTE
