Endocarditis
What is endocarditis?
Endocardium is a thin membrane (lining), which covers the inner surface of the heart. Эндокардит – воспаление этой оболочки и внутренних клапанов сердца.
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.
Эндокардит – лечение
Treatments may include endocarditis:
- Прием антибиотиков – курс лечения с помощью внутривенного введения антибиотиков, usually lasts 4-8 weeks;
- Операция на сердце – назначается чтобы восстановить или заменить клапан, 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:
- Имеются различные формы врожденных сердечных болезней – пороков сердца;
- 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.