heart valve inflammation, inflammation of the inner wall of the heart Introduction Inflammation of the heart valves (endocarditis) is a potentially life-threatening disease, usually caused by microbial pathogens such as viruses, bacteria or fungi. It is not uncommon for structural damage to the heart valves to be the result, accompanied by a functional defect. Symptoms … Endocarditis
Therapy The treatment is carried out with antibiotics, as it is often triggered by bacterial pathogens. It is important to start the therapy early to avoid complications of the infection. Different antibiotics are used depending on whether the affected heart valve is the patient’s own original heart valve or a prosthetic valve. In the case … Therapy | Endocarditis
Prognosis However, about thirty percent of those affected respond poorly to the medication (antibiotics), resulting in extensive damage to the heart valves. In such cases, an operation with replacement by artificial valves as a life-saving measure is often unavoidable. Complications Dreaded complications of heart valve inflammation (endocarditis) are metastases of bacterial deposits on the heart … Prognosis | Endocarditis
Duration of endocarditis Endocarditis should be treated early to avoid complications and consequential damage. If antibiotic therapy is started in time, the disease will subside over the duration of the therapy of about four to six weeks. It is important to monitor the success of the therapy regularly, as this is the only way to … Duration of endocarditis | Endocarditis
Is endocarditis contagious? Endocarditis is usually not contagious. It is only triggered by small amounts of bacteria, which are abundant in the oral cavity or body and can only enter the bloodstream through minor injuries. The infectious focus is then only on the heart, where small abscesses, encapsulations of the bacteria can form. Disease development … Is endocarditis contagious? | Endocarditis
What is the diagnostic procedure for endocarditis? The diagnosis differs according to whether infectious bacterial endocarditis or non-pathogenic endocarditis is suspected. Infective endocarditis is diagnosed on the basis of several criteria. The two most important criteria are so-called “positive blood cultures” and abnormalities in the ultrasound or CT examination. In order to obtain the former, … What is the diagnostic procedure for endocarditis? | Endocarditis
Frequency (Epidemiology) In the Federal Republic of Germany, approximately 2 to 6 new cases of endocarditis occur per year among 100,000 inhabitants. On average, men are affected twice as often as women. The age peak of the disease endocarditis is 50 years. Since the introduction of antibiotic therapy, the overall incidence of the disease has … Frequency (Epidemiology) | Endocarditis
