ie Flashcards
What are some constitutional symptoms associated with infective endocarditis?
Malaise, weight loss, night sweats.
What are the risk factors for infective endocarditis?
Prosthetic heart valve, congenital heart disease, haemodialysis, immunocompromised status, recent IV lines, catheter insertion, recent dental procedure, surgery, IVDU, recent UTI.
How can acute infective endocarditis be differentiated from subacute?
Acute IE has a rapid onset and severe constitutional symptoms, while subacute IE has a more insidious onset and less severe symptoms.
What are some complications of infective endocarditis?
Heart failure (SOB, cough), systemic embolization (leg pain), cerebral abscess (neurological symptoms).
What vital signs should be checked during physical examination?
Fever, tachycardia, tachypnoea, SpO2, BP.
What are some findings in the general examination for infective endocarditis?
Clubbing, Osler nodes, Janeway lesions, splinter haemorrhage, venepuncture marks.
What should be noted in the cardiovascular examination?
Median sternotomy scar, prosthetic click, displaced apex beat, any murmur, lung crepitation.
What laboratory findings are indicative of infective endocarditis?
Leucocytosis, anaemia, raised ESR.
What is the definitive treatment for infective endocarditis?
Antibiotics.
What is the empirical treatment for healthcare-associated infective endocarditis?
IV vancomycin + gentamicin +/- rifampicin (if prosthetic) +/- cefepime.
What is the antibiotic of choice for Viridans group streptococci in native valves?
IV benzylpenicillin.
What is the duration of treatment for infective endocarditis with Viridans group streptococci in prosthetic valves?
6 weeks.
