Infective Endocarditis Flashcards
What bacteria can cause an infection in the body after implantation of a cardiac defibrillator device?
- Staph. aureus
- Staph. epidermidis
- sp.
- Propionibacterium acnes
Where can an infection from an implatable cardiac defib. arise anatomically?
Biofilm forms on either:
- Box
- leads
- Endocardium
What factors increase the risk of developing infection from an implantable cardiac defib.?
- Complexity of procedure
- Temporary pacer use
- Type of device
- Number of revisions /re-interventions
- Fever within 24 hours
- Haematoma post procedure
- Heart failure, renal failure
What is infective endocarditis?
Infection of the endothelium of the heart valves
- acute or subacute
- life threatening
Hospital acquired cases of infective endocarditis are usually due to which bug?
Staph. Aureus
What predisposing factors put patients at higher risk of developing infective endocarditis?
Heart valve abnormality
- calcification/sclerosis in elderly
- congenital heart disease
- post rheumatic fever
- Prosthetic heart valve
IVDU
Intravascular lines
Describe the pathogenesis of infective endocarditis
- Heart valve damaged
- Turbulent blood flow over rough endothelium
- Platelets / fibrin deposited
- Bacteraemia settle on fibrin/platelet thrombi
=> microbial vegetation
Why is infective endocarditis considered life threatening?
- Infected vegetations are friable and break off
=> can become lodged in capillary bed
=> cause abscesses or haemorrhage
(these consequences can be fatal)
What organisms commonly cause NATIVE valve endocarditis?
Staph. aureus
Strep viridans (after dental work)
Enterococcus sp.
Staph. epidermidis
What unusual organisms can cause infective endocarditis?
- Atypical:
Coxiella, Chlamydia, Legionella, Mycoplasma
- Gram-negatives = HACEK organisms Haemophilus spp. Aggregatibacter spp Cardiobacterium Eikenella sp. Kingella sp.
- Fungi
What criteria is used to predict the probability of a patient having endocarditis?
Duke Criteria
- 2 Major
- 1 Major and 3 minor
- OR ALL 5 minor criteria
How many sets of blood cultures should be taken for infective endocarditis?
3 sets of blood cultures
- to prove that bacteria is not a contaminant
If blood cultures are negative
=> consider serology for “atypical” organisms
How does acute endocarditis present?
- overwhelming sepsis
- cardiac failure
=> due to aggressive (virulent) organisms such as Staph. aureus
What microbiology test distinguishes Staphylococcus aureus from coagulase-negative staph?
Coagulase Test
How does sub-acute infective endocarditis present?
Fever malaise Weight loss Tiredness Breathlessness