What Is Endocarditis ?

Endocarditis is a condition in which the inner layer (or) the inner lining of the heart gets infected. This inner lining is called the Endocardium and it serces as a lining for the valves and chambers of the heart. Endocarditis is a dangerous disease and can be deadly. The infection usually affects people who have a heart condition such as a damaged heart valve or a valve that is artificial or even in people with other heart conditions.

Symptoms:

An individual who is affected with endocarditis may experience symptoms such as an altered heart tone, tiredness, pain in the joints, muscular pain, shortness of breath, dullness, sudden loss of weight, blood present while urinating, chronic cough,swollen feet, bulging of fingertips and curving of nails.

In some cases endocarditis symptoms may also include the appearance of tiny reddish spots under the surface of the skin or they may even appear inside the individual's mouth.

Causes:

An endocarditis infection occurs when micro organisms such as bacteria or fungi are able to penetrate into the blood flow and steadily advance towards the valve that is affected or damaged. The invading organisms then attach themselves onto the affected valves and infect them causing endocarditis. Some of the ways in which an endocarditis infection can result are 

Infection from other areas:

An endocarditis infection can be caused due to a spread of bacteria from another region. Diseases such as a gum (or) bowel disease may allow bacteria to enter the blood flow and cause an endocarditis  infection.

Contaminated Instruments:

Use of contaminated medical instruments such as contaminated catheters or needles can allow bacteria to enter into the bloodstream and attach themselves onto the heart valves.

People At Risk:

Endocarditis does not usually affect people with strong and healthy hearts but affects those who have a diseased or damaged heart. A damaged valve provides a perfect ground for bacteria such as staph bacteria to settle in and quickly multiply. People with artificial heart valves, damaged heart valves (or) congenital heart valves and rheumatic fever are at a risk of developing  endocarditis.

Diagnosis:

In the diagnosis of an endocarditis infection the following tests may be carried out.

Blood Culture Test:

A blood test may be done to detect the presence of bacteria in blood and also to determine other factors that would indicate an endocarditis infection.

Echocardiogram Test:

An echocardiogram test is done to produce images of a person's heart. The test involves the insertion of a device into a person's mouth and through the esophagus. The results of an echocardiogram test would enable a doctor to see whether an individual's heart valves have been infected by bacteria or any other organism.

Other Tests:

Other  tests that may be done include an electrocardiogram which is done to record the electrical activity of the heart, a complete blood count (CBC) to measure the amount of red blood cells, white blood cells and haemoglobin present and even an x ray scan may also be done.

Complications:

Bacteria that reaches the heart valves may even spread to the brain and lungs causing serious complications. If the endocardium is damaged completely it may result in heart failure due to the heart's inability to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. If endocarditis is not treated in time it can even be fatal.

Other complications that can result from endocarditis are Arrhythmia, a condition in which the heart beats either too fast or beats too slow, Glomerulonephritis a condition in which the glomeruli (kidney structures) get inflamed, brain abscess, clotting of blood, jaundice, or even stroke.

Treatment:

People who have an endocarditis infection are administered antibiotics intravenously. The antibiotic treatment may need to be given for a long time in order to get the bacteria out of the heart valves.

The antibiotic administered to the individual would depend upon the causative organism and therapy usually lasts for about 5 to 7 weeks.In some cases surgery may be needed if the individual develops heart failure due to the damaged valves. (or) if the valve needs to be replaced.

Prevention:

Certain medical treatments such as dental procedures may allow staph bacteria to enter into the blood stream. Taking certain antibiotics before undergoing such procedures would help in destroying bacteria that enters during the treatment.