Structural and heart disorders Flashcards
Infective endocarditis
aka bacterial endocarditis (can be caused by other organisms too)
infection of the heart valves or the endocardial (innermost layer of tissue that lines the chambers of the heart) surface of the heart
blood flow turbulence within heart allows causative organism to infect valves or endothelial surfaces
Endocardium
continuous with valves of the heart so IE effects the heart valves too
Two types of IE
acute (develops suddenly and becomes life threatening in a matter of days)
subacute (develops over weeks/months)
4 categories of IE
informed by site of infection, presence of device, mode of infection
1. L sided native valve IE
2. L sided prosthetic valve IE
3. R sided IE (includes IV drug use)
4. intracardiac and intravascular devices (pacemaker, defibrillator)
what are the risk factors of IE
prior endocarditis, prosthetic valves, acquired valvular diseases, congenital heart defects, cardiac lesions, pneumatic fever
How does IE happen?
vegetations (lesions which are fibrin, leukocytes, platelets, microbes) which form emboli in circulation (fallen off in circulation)
L sided heart vegetations (IE)
progress to the kidney, spleen, small peripheral veins of the arms and legs (causing infarction)
caused by bacterial infection, cocaine abuse
R sided heart vegetations (IE)
embolize in the lungs
Caused by IV use of illicit drugs
What does IE cause?
dysrhythmias, valvular incompetence, invasion in myocardium causing HF, sepsis and heart block
What is the most causative organism of IE?
staphylococcus aureus
When is the risk the greatest in IE?
within first few days of antimicrobial treatment
Manifestations of IE
non-specific: chills, weakness, night sweats, SOB, malaise, fatigue, anorexia, weight loss
LOW GRADE FEVER (may be absent in immunocompromised or older adults)
splinter hemorrhages
Osler’s nodes
Janeway’s lesions
Petechiae
Onset of a new or changing murmur is noted in most pts (aortic and mitral valves)
Splinter hemorrhages
longitudinal streaks in nail beds
Osler’s nodes
painful red or purple pea sized lesions that last 1-2 days
fingertips and toes
Janeway’s lesions
small, flat, painless, red spots on palms of hand
Petechiae
conjunctivae of the eyelids and whites of the eyes, buccal mucosa and sometimes in the extremities
Manifestations of IE secondary to embolization
spleen: sharp, LUQ pain, local tenderness
kidneys: pain in flank, hematuria and azotemia (increased BUN)
peripheral BV: gangrene
brain: hemiplegia, ataxia, aphasia, visual changes, LOC changes
Diagnosis of IE
health history (recent surgeries or dental work, valvular disease, rheumatic fever, congenital heart defects, IV drug use, intracardiac prosthetic device, resp/urinary infection, recent cardiac categorization)
lab data (BLOOD CULTURES)
Echocardiograms
ECG
CXR
possible cardiac catheterization to evaluate coronary artery patency and valvular function when surgery is considered
Management of IE
- prophylactic tx (abx for pts with specific cardiac conditions prior to certain surgical or dental procedures - prevents infection from even happening)
- Drug therapy (success of tx is dependent on identifying causative organism, abx tx should be started as soon as results of blood culture returns, long term tx is needed for removing dormant bacteria clustered within vegetation, vlave replacements are very likely to be needed)
Overall goal of IE management
- normal/baseline cardiac function
- ADL without fatigue
- prevent recurrence of endocarditis
Health promotion of IE
TEACHING IS CRITICAL
avoid ppl with infections, report early signs of infection, avoid fatigue, good oral hygiene, regular dental visits, inform providers of IE hx
prophylactic tx before procedure is important
if hx of IV drug use –> need drug tx program
ambulatory and home care (abx for 4-6 weeks, adequate physical and emotional rest at home, repeat blood culture to see effectiveness of abx)
Acute Pericarditis
the inflammation of the pericardial sac
pericardium
composed of inner serous membrane (visceral pericardium) which closely adheres to the epicardial surface of the heart and outer fibrous (parietal) layer
Pericardial space
the cavity between the 2 layers, contains 10-30 ml of serous fluid (protects heart)
What causes acute pericarditis?
- infectious: viral, bacterial, fungal
- non-infectious: acute MI, radiation, neoplasm (tissue growth - benign or malignant)
- hypersensitive (drug rxn) or autoimmune
2 syndromes in acute MI
acute pericarditis (within 48-72 hours)
Dressler’s syndrome (after 4-6 weeks)