Infective Endocarditis

Question 1

What causes infective endocarditis

Answer 1

• Bacterial colonization of the heart valve and adjacent endocardium with tissue destruction
• Coagulase-positive staphylococci and beta-hemolytic streptococci

Question 2

What are the most commonly affected valves in infective endocarditis?

Answer 2

Mitral valve (L) and aortic

Question 3

Treatment of infective endocarditis

Answer 3

• Antibiotics
• Supportive therapy
• fluids and electrolyte balance
• nutritional support
• CHF is a common sequela of this disease
• digoxin, ACE inhibitors, diuretics and diet and exercise restriction
• severe cases: hydralazine and/or amlodipine