ENDOCARDITIS

What is Endocarditis?

Infection and/or inflammation of heart valve(s) may be due to bacteria (rarely fungus or virus) in the blood stream attaching to and damaging the heart valves; in other cases, the immune system may attack the valves (auto-immune).

Other Heart Conditions

• Angina

• Arrhythmia

• Atrial Fibrillation

• Cardiac Arrest

• Cardiogenic Shock

• Cardiomyopathy

• Chronic Total Occlusion

• Congenital Heart Disease

• Coronary Artery Disease

• Dyspnea (Shortness of Breath)

• Endocarditis

• Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)

• Heart Failure

• High Cholesterol

• Hypertension

• Heart Murmur

• Palpitations

• Pericarditis

• Pulmonary Hypertension

• Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)

• Syncope (Fainting)

• Valvular Heart Disease

What are the Symptoms of Endocarditis?

Signs and symptoms of endocarditis may include:

• Fever

• Murmur

• Fatigue

• Weight loss

• Muscle and/or joint pain

• Painful sores on your fingers/toes

• Red spots on your palms/soles

• Dark lines in the finger nails

How is Endocarditis Diagnosed?

Testing for endocarditis may include:​

• Blood cultures

• Transthoracic Echocardiogram (TTE)

• Transesophageal Echocardiogram (TEE)

• Electrocardiogram (EKG)

• Chest X-ray

• CT and/or MRI scan

How is Endocarditis Treated?

Endocarditis treatment usually consists of intravenous antibiotics but in cases of significant bacterial build up, abscess, embolism and/or valve damage, surgery may be required to repair or replace the valve.