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Ency. home > Disease > I > Infective endocarditis

Infective endocarditis    See images

Overview | Symptoms | Treatment | Prevention

Alternative names:

Subacute endocarditis; Acute endocarditis; Bacterial endocarditis

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.

Prognosis

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

Complications

Call Your Health Care Provider If:

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

Ency. home > Disease > I > Infective endocarditis

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