Infective endocarditis remains an important problem and the means of prevention are still insufficient. The causal bacteria have changed very little, but the incidence of nosocomial infections and endocarditis complicating intravenous drug abuse are increasing. The distinction between subacute and acute clinical presentations remains appropriate. Cardiac and neurological complications are frequent and carry a high risk of mortality. The diagnosis is obtained by the integration of clinical data and the results of blood cultures. Echocardiography is extremely useful for detecting vegetations, and for assessing the haemodynamic consequences and specific cardiac complications. Risk stratification can be obtained by correct integration of multiple parameters. The causal agent should be identified before the initiation of antimicrobial therapy. Surgery is frequently required, and should be performed rapidly when indicated
Infective endocarditis: prevention, diagnosis and management / Pierard, La; Lancellotti, P; Galiuto, Leonarda. - In: EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE. - ISSN 0969-9546. - 1:2(1994), pp. 104-109.
Infective endocarditis: prevention, diagnosis and management
Galiuto, Leonarda
1994
Abstract
Infective endocarditis remains an important problem and the means of prevention are still insufficient. The causal bacteria have changed very little, but the incidence of nosocomial infections and endocarditis complicating intravenous drug abuse are increasing. The distinction between subacute and acute clinical presentations remains appropriate. Cardiac and neurological complications are frequent and carry a high risk of mortality. The diagnosis is obtained by the integration of clinical data and the results of blood cultures. Echocardiography is extremely useful for detecting vegetations, and for assessing the haemodynamic consequences and specific cardiac complications. Risk stratification can be obtained by correct integration of multiple parameters. The causal agent should be identified before the initiation of antimicrobial therapy. Surgery is frequently required, and should be performed rapidly when indicatedI documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.