Definition:
Endocarditis is characterized as an inflammation of the inner layer of the patient's heart, which is medically termed as the endocardium. Among the most common structures of this medical condition involves the heart valves.
Diagnosis:
Patients' history, symptoms and findings may be confirmed by blood test. An echocardiogram or the ultrasound imaging study of the heart valves and msucles may also be helpful in identifying any presence or development of clump of bacteria on the heart valve.
Treatment:
Hospitalization for antibiotic therapy is usually required. Sometimes therapy with oral antibiotics at home is done. Antibiotic therapy are typically required to be continued for at least over month. Most of the patients will respond rapidly to the institution of the appropriate antibiotics, with more than 70 percent of patients becoming afebrile within a period of one week. In some highly unusual cases, surgery may be executed or prove to be necessary to be able to repair or replace the heart's damaged heart valve.
Symptoms and Signs:
Symptoms of endocarditis may include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, night sweats, chills, headaches, joint discomfort, and tiny pinpoint-sized hemorrhages on the chest and back, fingers, or toes. The physician may also detect a new heart murmur and small hemorrhages in the mucous membranes of the eyes during physical examination.
Causes:
Previous attach of rheumatic fever was considered a major factor for this disease before because there are valves deformed. Other causes of this disease are artificial heart valve, some congenital heart disorder and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Dental surgery, colonoscopy, urologic or gynecologic surgery, as well as the possibility of skin infections will increase the risks of endocarditis, even if there are no recorded pre-existing deformity of the anatomic valve.
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