Infective Endocarditis

About Endocarditis 

Infective endocarditis is inflammation in your heart valves caused by a bacterial or fungal infection. Bacteria or fungi reach your heart through your bloodstream. 

Although several types of infections can cause infective endocarditis, the two most common are: 

• Staph infections
• Strep infections 

Untreated infective endocarditis can permanently damage your heart or cause death. Other complications include: 

• Blood clots
• Damage to heart valves
• Damage to other organs, including the brain, lungs and kidneys
• Heart failure
• Stroke 

Risk Factors for Infective Endocarditis 

Bacteria are always present in your body. When bacteria enter your bloodstream, you’re at increased risk for infective endocarditis if you have: 

• Artificial heart valve
• Congenital heart disease
• Existing damage to or enlarged heart valves
• Implanted devices, like an aortic graft or pacemaker
• Previous heart valve surgery
• Previous infective endocarditis diagnosis 

Seek emergency medical care if you have these risk factors and experience any of the symptoms below.

Diagnosing Infective Endocarditis

Symptoms of infective endocarditis can vary. They typically appear between 48 and 72 hours after infection. The most common signs include: 

• Aching joints and muscles
• Chest pain when breathing
• Flu-like symptoms, including chills, fatigue and fever
• Heart murmur
• Night sweats
• Shortness of breath
• Swelling in the abdomen, feet and legs
• Unexplained skin changes
• Unexplained weight loss  

To diagnose infective endocarditis or infections in implanted devices, your doctor will recommend one or more of these tests: 

• Blood test to detect bacteria and a lack of red blood cells
• Echocardiogram to detect heart damage and inflammation
• Other imaging (electrocardiogram, MRI or X-ray) to detect damage to other areas of the body 

Infective Endocarditis Treatment

Our multi-specialty endocarditis team works together to deliver the complex, comprehensive treatment you need. Our endocarditis team includes: 

• Cardiovascular specialists, including heart failure and heart valve experts
• Hospitalists who provide around-the-clock inpatient care
• Infectious disease specialists who work with hospital pharmacists to identify appropriate medications
• Neurologists and neurosurgeons who can provide treatment for stroke 

Together, they offer advanced medical and surgical treatment to clear your heart of infective endocarditis. Based on your specific needs, your treatment plan may include: