Bacterial Endocarditis A Brief Perspective

Endocarditis is a cardiovascular condition that affects a small part of the population. It is characterized by affecting the internal membrane of the heart leading to inflammation, which may be caused by the accumulation of pathogenic microorganisms that may form microbial vegetation, reaching the heart valves. It is possible to diagnose the inflammation of the endocardium and prove the pathogenesis, which may be symptomatic or asymptomatic using the Duke criteria and the echocardiogram exam. Once diagnosed, a therapeutic approach is individualized, such as drug treatment using antibiotics, and/or in the case of major impairment of the cardiac organ, surgical intervention. However, there are some possible complications, such as neurological problems, intestinal pneumatosis, impairment of the prosthetic valve, and septic embolism, which may lead to death. Therefore, late diagnoses and treatment lead to a high mortality rate; therefore, an early and assertive diagnoses as well as an adequate treatment in accordance with the characteristics of each case are vital.

Keywords: Endocarditis; Bacterial infection; Heart disease; Endocardium; Heart valves

Abbreviations: IE: Infectious Endocarditis; BE: Bacterial Endocarditis; DNA: Deoxyribonucleic Acid; IPVE: Infectious Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis; SE: Septic Embolism