Endocarditis | Infective Endocarditis | IE | MedlinePlus

Endocarditis | Infective Endocarditis | IE | MedlinePlus

MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

• Antistreptolysin O titer
• Culture-negative endocarditis
• Endocarditis
• Endocarditis - children
• Splinter hemorrhages

Related Health Topics

• Heart Diseases

National Institutes of Health

The primary NIH organization for research on Endocarditis is theNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

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Summary

Endocarditis, also called infective endocarditis (IE), is an inflammation of the inner lining of the heart. The most common type, bacterial endocarditis, occurs when germs enter your heart. These germs come through your bloodstream from another part of your body, often your mouth. Bacterial endocarditis can damage your heart valves. If untreated, it can be life-threatening. It is rare in healthy hearts.

Risk factors include having

• An abnormal or damaged heart valve
• An artificial heart valve
• Congenital heart defects

The signs and symptoms of IE can vary from person to person. They also can vary over time in the same person. Symptoms you might notice include fever, shortness of breath, fluid buildup in your arms or legs, tiny red spots on your skin, and weight loss. Your doctor will diagnose IE based on your risk factors, medical history, signs and symptoms, and lab and heart tests.

Early treatment can help you avoid complications. Treatment usually involves high-dose antibiotics. If your heart valve is damaged, you may need surgery.

If you're at risk for IE, brush and floss your teeth regularly, and have regular dental checkups. Germs from a gum infection can enter your bloodstream. If you are at high risk, your doctor might prescribe antibiotics before dental work and certain types of surgery.

NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Start Here

• Bacterial Endocarditis (American Academy of Family Physicians)Also in Spanish
• Endocarditis (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)Also in Spanish
• Heart Inflammation  (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)
• Infective Endocarditis (Merck & Co., Inc.)
• What Is Infective Endocarditis? (American Heart Association) - PDF

Diagnosis and Tests

• What Is Transesophageal Echocardiography?  (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)

Prevention and Risk Factors

• Prevention of Infective (Bacterial) Endocarditis: Wallet Card (American Heart Association) - PDF

Specifics

• Infective Endocarditis (American Heart Association)
• Infective Endocarditis (Texas Heart Institute)Also in Spanish

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Endocarditis  (National Institutes of Health)

Journal ArticlesReferences and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

• Article: Nonbacterial Thrombotic Endocarditis. 
• Article: Case report: right-sided native endocarditis presenting with multiple abscess formations [care... 
• Article: Listen to Your Heart. 
• Endocarditis -- see more articles 

Reference Desk

• Heart and Stroke Encyclopedia (American Heart Association)
• How the Heart Works  (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)

Find an Expert

• American Heart Association 
• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute 

Patient Handouts

• Culture-negative endocarditis (Medical Encyclopedia)Also in Spanish
• Endocarditis (Medical Encyclopedia)Also in Spanish
• Endocarditis - children (Medical Encyclopedia)Also in Spanish