Prophylaxis and treatment of infective endocarditis in adults: a concise guide
Abstract
Infective endocarditis (IE) is a life-threatening disease with substantial morbidity and mortality which affects individuals with underlying structural cardiac defects who develop bacteraemia, often as a result of dental, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, respiratory or cardiac invasive/surgical procedures. Prompt recognition of the clinical diagnosis by a wide variety of medical personnel, early involvement of specialist cardiologists, cardiac surgeon and a microbiologist, and prompt treatment with the most appropriate antimicrobial agents offer the greatest chance of improving the outcome for these patients. The guidance given here to clinicians involved in the management of patients with IE briefly covers diagnosis, antibiotic prophylaxis, medical treatment and the indications for surgery.
- © 2004 Royal College of Physicians
Article Tools
Citation Manager Formats
Jump to section
Related Articles
- No related articles found.
Cited By...
- Infective endocarditis in adults with congenital heart disease remains a lethal disease
- Can reporting of cardiac valves be rationalised? Our experience of improving efficiency
- Antibiotic prophylaxis in gastrointestinal endoscopy
- Infective endocarditis: a comparison of international guidelines
- Antimicrobial prophylaxis for endocarditis: emotion or science?
- Infective endocarditis