infective endocarditis

Question 1

infective endocarditis

Answer 1

infection of endocardial surface of the heart valves

high morbidity

Question 2

Aetiopathogenesis

Answer 2

two causes

abnormal cardiac endothelium causing bacteria to stick

presence of bacteria or fungus in the blood

Question 3

what organisms cause endocarditis

Answer 3

Streptococci 63% Viridans group 50% Staphylococci 26% Fungi 4%

Question 4

clinical features

Answer 4

fever sweating weight loss enlarged spleen 
meningitis 
heart murmur 
Skin - Osler's nodes , Splinter
haemorrhage

Question 5

blood testing

Answer 5

raised white blood cell count
alkaline phosphatase
raised
serum immunoglobulins raised

Question 6

methods for testing

Answer 6

urine
blood
chest radiograph
electrocardiogram

Question 7

treatment

Answer 7

antibiotics

surgery if extensive damage

Question 8

prognosis worse when

Answer 8

prosthetic valve
unidentified organism
heart failure
resistant bacteria

Question 9

nice guidelines on prophylaxis

Answer 9

for people undergoing dental procedures
• for people undergoing non-dental procedures at the
following sites
• upper and lower gastrointestinal tract
• genitourinary tract; this includes urological, gynaecological and obstetric procedures, and childbirth
• upper and lower respiratory tract; this includes ear, nose and throat procedures and bronchoscopy