Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Echocardiographic Approaches and Protocols for Comprehensive Phenotypic Characterization of Valvular Heart Disease in Mice
12:12

Echocardiographic Approaches and Protocols for Comprehensive Phenotypic Characterization of Valvular Heart Disease in Mice

Published on: February 14, 2017

The clinical and echocardiographic diagnosis of infective endocarditis

R J Bain1, A M Geddes, W A Littler

  • 1Department of Communicable and Tropical Diseases, East Birmingham Hospital, UK.

The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
|September 1, 1987
PubMed

Insights

Infective endocarditis is increasingly caused by staphylococci, often affecting healthy heart valves. Diagnosis requires considering blood cultures and echocardiography in febrile patients with murmurs or persistent bacteremia.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Internal Medicine

Background:

  • Review of 75 infective endocarditis cases (1976-1984) at East Birmingham Hospital.
  • Identified shifts in causative pathogens and predisposing factors over time.

Observation:

  • Rheumatic heart disease is an uncommon predisposing factor.
  • Viridans streptococci infections are decreasing.
  • Staphylococcal infections are increasing, frequently affecting previously normal heart valves.

Findings:

  • Presenting symptoms are often non-specific.
  • Classical physical signs of endocarditis are uncommon.
  • Blood culture and echocardiography are crucial for diagnosis.

Implications:

  • Infective endocarditis diagnosis should be considered in febrile, ill patients with cardiac murmurs or persistent bacteremia.
  • Evolving etiological landscape necessitates updated diagnostic and treatment strategies.

More Related Videos

Histological Quantification of Chronic Myocardial Infarct in Rats09:45

Histological Quantification of Chronic Myocardial Infarct in Rats

Published on: December 11, 2016

Isolation and Characterization of Cardiac Mesenchymal Stromal Cells from Endomyocardial Bioptic Samples of Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy Patients09:16

Isolation and Characterization of Cardiac Mesenchymal Stromal Cells from Endomyocardial Bioptic Samples of Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy Patients

Published on: February 28, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Endocarditis I: Introduction01:25

Endocarditis I: Introduction

Introduction:Endocarditis is the infection of the endocardium, the inner lining of the heart and its valves. When the heart muscle is involved, the condition is termed myocarditis, while an infection of the outer lining is called pericarditis. Infective endocarditis (IE) primarily affects the endocardium, where pathogens adhere to the valves or lining, forming vegetation that can lead to severe complications. Infective endocarditis occurs when microorganisms, usually bacteria from other body...
Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis01:25

Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis

Endocarditis can present various clinical features depending on the causative organism and the patient's underlying health conditions. Initially, the clinical features of infective endocarditis develop gradually, presenting with nonspecific symptoms that can be easily mistaken for other illnesses.General SymptomsEarly symptoms of infective endocarditis are fever, chills, weakness, malaise, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms reflect the systemic nature of the infection and the body's...
Endocarditis III: Medical Management01:18

Endocarditis III: Medical Management

Infective endocarditis management involves a multifaceted approach encompassing infection prevention, lifestyle modifications, pharmacological therapy, and surgical management.Infection Prevention:Hand Hygiene: Thorough handwashing is crucial to prevent the spread of infection. Hand hygiene should be performed regularly, especially before and after using the restroom.Oral Hygiene: Good oral hygiene is essential. It includes brushing teeth immediately after waking up and before bed, flossing...
Endocarditis IV: Nursing Management01:29

Endocarditis IV: Nursing Management

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a chronic infection of the heart's endocardium, primarily affecting the heart valves. A detailed nursing assessment for a patient with IE involves collecting subjective and objective data to ensure an accurate diagnosis and timely intervention.Subjective DataThe nurse gathers information about the patient's symptoms and complaints during the subjective assessment. Patients with infective endocarditis often report non-specific symptoms that can mimic other...
Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests01:27

Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle. The symptoms vary widely, encompassing asymptomatic presentations to severe, acute manifestations.Clinical PresentationAsymptomatic cases: In some instances, myocarditis may be asymptomatic, with the infection resolving without intervention. These cases often go undetected unless discovered incidentally through diagnostic imaging or tests conducted for other reasons.General Early Symptoms: Early symptoms of myocarditis are non-specific and can...
Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies01:22

Rheumatic Heart Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies

The key clinical manifestations of Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) include several distinct cardiac symptoms.Carditis, a hallmark of acute rheumatic fever, involves inflammation of the heart's endocardium, myocardium, and pericardium. Chronic RHD often results from recurrent episodes of carditis. Its symptoms include the following:Murmurs are caused by valvular damage, especially to the mitral and aortic valves. Mitral stenosis or regurgitation is common, with characteristic heart murmurs...