Endocarditis causes, symptoms, diagnostics – Treatment, endocarditis prophylaxis

Endocarditis

What is endocarditis?

Endocardium is a thin membrane (lining), which covers the inner surface of the heart. Endokardit – inflammation of the shell and the internal valvular.

Endocarditis causes

Causes of endocarditis include:

• Bacterial infection, which is the most common cause and cause bacterial endocarditis;
• Viral and fungal infections;
• Medical disorders, which cause the acceleration of blood coagulation, with the result that there is a form of non-infectious endocarditis.

Risk factors for endocarditis

Factors, that increase the risk of endocarditis include:

• The presence of an artificial heart valve;
• Have episode of endocarditis in the past;
• History of rheumatic fever, which may damage the heart valves;
• Heart defects;
• The increased size of the heart;
• Mitral valve prolapse;
• The use of intravenous drugs;
• Procedures, which can lead to bacterial endocarditis:
  • Brushing your teeth from plaque;
  • Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy;
  • Bronchoscopy;
  • Operation of the gastrointestinal tract, urogenital or respiratory system;
  • Operation on gallbladder or prostate.

Endocarditis symptoms

Symptoms include endocarditis:

• Fever, chills;
• Weakness;
• Sweating, especially at night;
• Breathlessness;
• Cough;
• Loss of appetite, weight loss;
• Chest pain;
• Abdominal pain;
• Nausea and vomiting;
• Painful red bumps on the fingers and toes;
• Purple dots on the whites of the eyes, under the nails and in the collarbone;
• Painful red patches on the fingers, palms and soles.

Diagnosis of endocarditis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical examination. It will check for the presence of heart in it unusual sounds, called murmurs.

Tests include:

• An analysis of bodily fluids, which can be used for blood;
• To study the shapes and movements of the heart is used echocardiography.

Endokardit – treatment

Treatments may include endocarditis:

• Antibiotics – treatment with intravenous antibiotics, usually lasts 4-8 weeks;
• Heart surgery – assigned to repair or replace the valve, if it is severely damaged, or there is a risk of cardiac arrest.

Endocarditis prophylaxis

If you are at high risk of contracting endocarditis:

• Maybe, you have to take antibiotics before certain dental or medical procedures;
• Consult with your dentist or doctor before performing medical procedures.

Antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended for people with the following conditions:

• There are various forms of congenital heart disease – heart defects;
• Installed artificial heart valves;
• The presence of endocarditis in the past;
• Patients, waiting for a heart transplant, and having a disease of the heart valves.

Avoid intravenous drug use and reduce the risk of contracting endocarditis.