Infective Endocarditis: Hariprasad K
Infective Endocarditis: Hariprasad K
Infective Endocarditis: Hariprasad K
Endocarditis
Hariprasad k
Definition
Infection of the endocardial surface of the heart
characterized by colonization or invasion of the heart valves
or endocardium by a microbe, leading to formation of
vegetation composed of thrombotic debris.
Classification
ACUTE ENDOCARDITIS SUBACUTE ENDOCARDITIS
◦ Wound infection
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Due to etiological factors and risk factors
Entry of infective organisms to the body and reach to the heart
IE occurs when blood turbulence within the heart allows the causative
organism to infect previously damaged (occurs in individuals who have
underlying risk factors) or healthy valves and endocardium
Vegetations occurs as primary lesions of IE
Vegetations consist of fibrin, leukocytes, platelets and microbes which stick
to the valve surface and endocardium
Fragile vegetations moves into the circulation and causes emboli
Systemic embolization and local heart valve damage
Systemic embolization
Left sided heart vegetation
Vegetation moves to various organs like brain, kidneys, liver, spleen and
extremities causing limb infarction
right sided heart vegetation
Vegetation moves to lungs, resulting in pulmonary emboli
local heart valve damage
Valve damage of heart leads to dysryhthmias, valve dysfunction and
eventual invasion to the myocardium leading to heart failure, sepsis and
heart block
Clinical features
Nonspecific symptoms and can involve multiple
organ systems
• Low grade fever
• Chills, weakness, malaise, fatigue and anorexia
• Arthralgias, myalgias, back pain, abdominal discomfort, weight
loss, headache and clubbing of fingers – mainly seen in
subacute type
Vascular and integumentary
manifestations Oslers node – painful, tender, red
or purple, pea size lesions
• Splinter hemorrhages -are tiny blood
• It is found on the fingertips or toes
clots that tend to run vertically under
the nails. Janeway’s lesions – flat, painless,
small, red spots
• Petechiae (small red or purple spot
caused by bleeding into the skin) due • Mainly seen in palms and soles
to fragmentation and Fundoscopic examination can
microembolization of vegetative reveal hemorrhagic retinal lesions
lesions – roths spots
• Petechiae can occur in conjunctiva,
lips , buccal mucosa, palate and over
ankles, feet and antecubital and
popliteal areas
Cardiovascular changes
New or changing murmur ,Aortic and mitral valves are most often affected.
Heart failure occurs mostly in aortic valve endocarditis (80%)
Due to embolization
• Spleen – sharp, left upper quadrant pain and splenomegaly, local
tenderness and abdominal rigidity
• Kidneys – flank pain, hematuria and renal failure
• Small peripheral blood vessels – ischemia and gangrene
• Brain – neurologic damage resulting hemiplegia, ataxia, aphasia, visual
changes and change in consciousness
• Lungs – pulmonary embolization leads to dyspnea, chest pain, hempotysis
and respiratory arrest
Diagnostic measures
.
Investigations
Blood cultures:
Key diagnostic investigation in infective endocarditis.
Isolation of microorganism from culture is important for diagnosis and also
for treatment.
At least 2 sets of samples should be taken 30 minutes apart from 2 different
venepuncture sites over 24 hours – will be positive in 90% cases
Negative culture is often associated with antibiotic usage within the
previous 2 weeks , in that case the culture should keep for 3 weeks for slow
growing of organisms
Serology
Can be sent when the diagnosis is suspected and the cultures are
negative.
ECG
To detect complications like MI, conduction abnormalities. ECG shows
first or second degree AV block (cardiac valves are located near to the
conductive tissues especially AV node)
CHEST X RAY
• To detect cardiomegaly
.
Cardiac catheterization
• To evaluate valve functioning and to assess the coronary arteries when
surgical intervention is considered
Echocardiography
It can identify the presence and size of vegetations, detect intracardiac
complications and assess cardiac function.
.