[Infective endocarditis: quality of diagnosis and clinical features]

To review current course of infectious endocarditis (IE), time and quality of the diagnosis, results of hospital treatment.

30 cases of IE have been analysed (17 males, 13 females, mean age 37.6 +/- 2.3 years. The patients were admitted to hospital in 1997-1998.

Late diagnosis registered in many IE cases is explained by low quality of history data and of heart auscultation responsible for late start of conservative treatment. Some specific features of the disease course, visceral lesions, efficacy of the treatment are outlined.

IE morbidity is still high and prognosis in many cases if unfavourable.