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Heart, section through the middle
Heart, section through the middle
Heart, front view
Heart, front view
Infective endocarditis
Infective endocarditis
Janeway lesion on the finger
Janeway lesion on the finger
OverviewSymptomsTreatmentPrevention

Infectious endocarditis

Alternative Names:
Endocarditis - infectious

Treatment:

Hospitalization is required initially to administer intravenous antibiotics. Long-term, high-dose antibiotic therapy is required to eradicate the bacteria from the heart chambers and vegetations on the valves. Therapy up to 6 weeks is not uncommon. The chosen antibiotic must be specific for the organism causing the condition. This is determined by the blood culture and the sensitivities tests.

If heart failure develops as a result of damaged heart valves, surgery to replace the affected heart valve may be indicated.



Expectations (prognosis):
Early treatment of bacterial endocarditis generally results in a good outcome. Valvular damage may be present if diagnosis and treatment are delayed.

Complications:


Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you note the following symptoms during or after treatment:



Review Date: 4/19/2002
Reviewed By: Camille Kotton, M.D., Infectious Diseases Division, Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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