Endocarditis

Alternative names

Valve infection

Definition

Endocarditis is an inflammation of the inside lining of the heart chambers and heart valves (endocardium).

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Endocarditis can involve the heart muscle, heart valves, or lining of the heart. Most people who develop endocarditis have underlying valvular heart disease.

Injection drug use, recent dental surgery, permanent central venous access lines, prior valve surgery, and weakened valves are risk factors for developing endocarditis.

Bacterial infection is the most common source of endocarditis. However, it can also be caused by fungi. In some cases, no causative organism can be identified.

Related topics:

• culture-negative endocarditis
  
• infective endocarditis
  

Symptoms

• fatigue
  
• weakness
  
• fever
  
• chills
  
• night sweats, may be severe
  
• weight loss
  
• muscle aches and pains
  
• heart murmur
  
• shortness of breath with activity
  
• swelling of feet, legs, abdomen
  
• blood in the urine
  
• sweating, excessive
  
• red painless skin spots, located on the palms and soles (called Janeway lesions)
  
• red, painful nodes in the pads of the fingers and toes (called Osler's nodes)
  
• paleness
  
• nail abnormalities (splinter hemorrhages under the nails)
  
• joint pain
  
• abnormal urine color
  

Note: Endocarditis symptoms may develop slowly (subacute) or suddenly (acute).

Signs and tests

A history of congenital heart disease, rheumatic fever, recent dental work, or intravenous drug use raises the index of suspicion. Physical examination may show an enlarged spleen.

The examiner may detect a new heart murmur, or a change in a previous heart murmur. Examination of the nails may show splinter hemorrhages.

Eye examination may show retinal hemorrhages with a central area of clearing (called Roth's spots), and petechiae (small, pinpoint hemorrhages) may be detected in the conjunctiva. The fingertips may become enlarged and the nails may curve (clubbing).