Endocarditis, also called infective endocarditis, is a bacterial or fungal infection of the inner lining of the heart or heart valves. Endocarditis can be life threatening, but most people recover with prompt treatment. Infective endocarditis is generally treated with antibiotics, but some people with endocarditis may also need heart surgery. You’ll likely have a team of doctors monitoring you’re progress, including:
A cardiologist (heart doctor)A heart surgeonA doctor who specializes in infectious diseases
Endocarditis Medications
Most cases of endocarditis are treated with antibiotics. Antibiotics are medicines to rid your body of the infection. They’ll clear all the germs from your heart and heart valves. You’ll get antibiotics for two to six weeks through an intravenous (IV) tube inserted into a vein. You may spend part or all of this time in the hospital so that your doctor can monitor your condition and make sure the treatment is working. The type of antibiotics you receive, as well as the length of your treatment, will depend on the severity of your infection, the type of germs causing it, and your previous medical history. Blood tests and diagnostic procedures will help your doctors decide which antibiotic medications are best for you. While you’re receiving antibiotics, your doctors will take frequent blood samples to see whether the infection is beginning to clear from the bloodstream.
Endocarditis Surgery
Starting antibiotic treatment early can reduce the risk of complications from endocarditis. Even with antibiotics, endocarditis can cause damage to the heart or heart valves. Surgery may be required to repair the damage. Your doctors may also recommend surgery to clear up the infection or to replace heart valves that were badly damaged by the infection. Surgery for endocarditis is often suggested:
If small chunks of vegetation (blood clots caused by the infection) are breaking off and causing strokesIf the endocarditis is caused by a fungus, because fungal infections are harder to treat than bacterial infectionsIf the infection is not clearing with antibiotics, or if the bacteria causing the infection have become resistant to antibioticsIf the infection has damaged the heart valvesIf you’ve developed congestive heart failure, which occurs when fluid builds up in and around the heart and lungs because blood doesn’t pump properly though the heart (congestive heart failure may be due to damaged heart valves)
Types of Surgical Procedures for Endocarditis
The type of surgical procedure recommended will depend on the problem. People with congestive heart failure or valve damage may need a heart valve replacement with a prosthetic (manmade) valve. Your doctor may perform surgery to remove an abscess (pocket of pus); necrotic (dead) tissue from around the heart; or areas of persistent infection (such as a diseased heart valve). Your doctor can also surgically remove blood clots that may form. After surgery, you’ll likely need more antibiotics. You’ll also receive cardiac imaging tests, including an echocardiogram. This can give your doctor a clear picture of how your heart is healing.
