Definition

The endocardium is the inner lining of the heart muscle. Endocarditis is an infection of this lining and the heart valves.

Causes

Causes of endocarditis include:

  • Bacterial infection —the most common cause
  • Viral or fungal infection
  • Medical conditions that result in blood clotting too easily, causing a noninfectious form

Bacterial Endocarditis

Nuclus factsheet image
Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Risk

Factors that may increase your chances of endocarditis include:

Symptoms

Symptoms of endocarditis include:

  • Fever, chills
  • Weakness, low energy
  • Sweatiness, especially at night
  • Shortness of breath
  • Cough
  • Loss of appetite, weight loss
  • Chest pain
  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Painful red bumps on the fingers and toes
  • Purple dots on the whites of the eyes, under the fingernails, and over the collarbone
  • Painful red patches on the fingers, palms, and soles

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. The doctor will check your heart for unusual heart sounds. These are called heart murmurs.

Tests include:

Treatment

Treatment may include:

  • Antibiotics—given by IV for up to 4-8 weeks
  • Surgery—to repair or replace the valve if it is severely damaged or has caused heart failure

Prevention

If you have a high risk of infection:

  • You may need to take antibiotics before certain dental or medical procedures.
  • Talk to your dentist or doctor before the procedure.

The American Heart Association guidelines recommend that preventive antibiotic therapy should be considered for individuals with the following cardiac conditions:

  • Various forms of congenital heart defects
  • Artificial heart valves
  • History of endocarditis
  • Heart transplant recipients who have developed valve disease

Avoiding illicit IV drugs will also decrease your risk of infection.