RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Prophylaxis and treatment of infective endocarditis in adults: a concise guide
JF Clinical Medicine
JO Clin Med
FD Royal College of Physicians
SP 545
OP 550
DO 10.7861/clinmedicine.4-6-545
VO 4
IS 6
A1 David R Ramsdale
A1 Lynne Turner-Stokes
YR 2004
UL http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/4/6/545.abstract
AB 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.