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Native Valve Endocarditis: What You Need to Know About This Serious Heart Infection
Published: Jun 15, 2024
Native valve endocarditis is a serious infection of the heart valves. It requires prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent life-threatening complications.
What Causes Native Valve Endocarditis?
Native valve endocarditis occurs when bacteria or fungi enter the bloodstream and attach to the heart valves. Common causes include Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Enterococcus bacteria. Risk factors include heart valve abnormalities, intravenous drug use, and certain medical procedures.
What Are the Symptoms?
Symptoms of native valve endocarditis can develop slowly over weeks or suddenly. They may include fever, chills, fatigue, muscle/joint pain, and shortness of breath. More serious signs are heart murmurs, blood in urine, and tiny purple spots on skin/eyes.
How Is It Diagnosed?
Diagnosis involves blood cultures to identify the infecting organism. Echocardiography is used to visualize the heart valves and look for vegetations (infected masses). Other tests may include blood work, chest X-rays, and CT/MRI scans.
Frequently Asked Questions
It affects about 15,000 people in the US annually.
Yes, untreated endocarditis has a mortality rate of 40%.
Proper dental hygiene and antibiotic prophylaxis can help prevent it.
Key Takeaways
Native valve endocarditis is a serious heart infection requiring prompt medical attention and aggressive treatment.
References
- Baddour LM, et al. Circulation. 2015;132(15):1435-1486.
- Cahill TJ, et al. Lancet. 2016;387(10021):882-893.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic. Always discuss health information with your healthcare provider.
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