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Historical aspects of infective endocarditis

Max Grinberg1, Maria Cecilia Solimene

  • 1Instituto do Coração (InCor) do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. grinberg@incor.usp.br

Revista Da Associacao Medica Brasileira (1992)
|May 4, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Infective endocarditis, once fatal, is now curable due to advances in diagnosis and treatment. This review traces its historical evolution from a poorly understood condition to a clinically defined disease.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Medical History

Background:

  • Infective endocarditis was historically a fatal condition with limited treatment options.
  • Significant advancements in medical knowledge and technology have transformed its prognosis.

Observation:

  • The review examines the historical trajectory of infective endocarditis, starting from 19th-century observations.
  • It highlights the evolution from a 'clinically possible' diagnosis to a 'clinically defined' disease.

Findings:

  • Key developments include improved diagnostic tools like echocardiography.
  • Cardiac surgery during active infection and updated antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines have improved outcomes.

Implications:

  • Infective endocarditis is now a curable condition, representing a major success in medical history.
  • Understanding this evolution informs current and future management strategies for infective endocarditis.

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