Emergency Considerations of Infective Endocarditis

Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2022 Nov;40(4):793-808. doi: 10.1016/j.emc.2022.07.001. Epub 2022 Oct 7.

Abstract

Although still a rare bacterial infection of the endocardium of the heart, the incidence of infective endocarditis continues to increase with the increased use of intracardiac devices, indwelling lines, and surgical procedures being done on patients. The diagnosis of infective endocarditis remains challenging and requires a high level of suspicion to initiate the appropriate investigation and treatment. Serious complications can still occur despite optimal care, so it is helpful that these patients be managed by a team that includes infectious disease, cardiology, and cardiac surgeons.

Keywords: Bacteremia; Blood stream infections; Endocarditis; Fever; Injection drug use; Murmur.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Endocarditis* / diagnosis
  • Endocarditis* / therapy
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial* / complications
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial* / diagnosis
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial* / therapy
  • Humans