Thursday, November 20, 2008
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Bacterial Endocarditis
What is Bacterial Endocarditis?
Bacterial Endocarditis is a serious infection of the heart valves or the inner lining of the heart. It can occur whenever bacteria enter into your bloodstream and attaches to the heart. Bacterial Endocarditis is a real threat to some patients with heart disease, which is why prevention is very important.
The risk of Bacterial Endocarditis can be greatly reduced by taking pre-procedure antibiotics. Your physician will determine if you need intravenous (IV) antibiotics or if you need the pill form of antibiotics. Usually this is all that is needed for prevention of Bacterial Endocarditis.
Who is at Risk
Patients with the following diagnosis are at risk for Bacterial Endocarditis:
- Patients who have had any type of valve surgery
- Previous history of bacterial endocarditis
- Rheumatic heart disease, Congenital heart abnormalities-discuss with your cardiologist
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - discuss with your cardiologist
- Mitral valve prolapse - discuss with your cardiologist
- History of surgically constructed systemic pulmonary shunts or conduits.
When and Why You are at Risk
Bacteria may enter the bloodstream through some surgical or dental procedures, such as:
- Dental cleaning, extraction
- Periodontal & endodontic procedures
- Bronchoscopy
- Surgeries involving respiratory tract
- Stomach/Colon procedures
- Urology procedures & surgeries (Prostrate surgery, cystoscopy, urethral dilation)
Signs/Symptoms of Infection
Do not wait a few days until you have a major infection to seek treatment. A cold or flu does not cause endocarditis. But infections that may have the same symptoms (sore throat, general body aches, and fever) do. To be safe, call your doctor.
Signs & symptoms of infections:
- Fever over 100.0 (38.0 C)
- Sweats or chills
- Skin rash
- Pain, tenderness, redness or swelling
- Wound or cut that will not heal
- Red, warm or draining sore
- Sore throat, scratchy throat or pain when swallowing
- Sinus drainage, nasal congestion, headaches or tenderness along upper cheekbones.
- Persistent dry or moist cough that lasts more than two days
- White patches in your mouth or on your tongue
- Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea
How to Reduce Your Risk
Prior to any invasive procedure, please notify your physician or dentist of your heart disease and the medication you are currently taking. Your physician or dentist should be able to prescribe an antibiotic for you. If you are unsure if you need an antibiotic for a procedure you are having or need a prescription, please consult with your cardiologist or the cardiac nurse.
For more information, please visit our web-site at www.midwestheart.com.