An overview of infective endocarditis

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of Infective Endocarditis (IE). Bibliographic review: IE is an infection of the heart endothelium, with an annual incidence of 3 to 10/100,000 inhabitants, with a mortality of up to 30% in 30 days. Currently, Staphylococcus aureus, streptococci of the viridans group, other streptococci and enterococci represent the main etiological agents of the disease. The clinical presentation of IE is highly variable with up to 90% of patients experiencing fever, night sweats, fatigue, and loss of weight and appetite, with approximately 25% having evidence of embolic phenomena at presentation. Final considerations: EI is one of the most serious infectious diseases. Diagnosis is based primarily on detection of bacteremia and cardiac imaging, usually including multiple imaging modalities, but echocardiography being the main one. Management of the condition is through antibiotic therapy that should be initiated after at least two (preferably three) sets of blood cultures have been obtained from separate venipunctures and ideally spaced for 30 to 60 minutes and covered for the most common pathogens (staphylococci, streptococci and enterococci). In addition, one should be aware of the cases in which surgery is indicated.