Acute Infective Endocarditis

Acute infective endocarditis is aggressive infection (usually Staphylococcus aureus) of normal or prosthetic valves, presenting acutely with high fever, toxicity, rapid valve destruction, abscess, and embolic complications. It is a medical emergency. Treatment: urgent blood cultures; IV anti-staphylococcal antibiotics (anti-staph penicillin/vancomycin plus gentamicin/rifampin for prosthetic); early surgery for heart failure, abscess, uncontrolled infection, or large vegetations; ICU support.

Common Symptoms

Acute high fever/toxicity; rapid valve destruction; new murmur; emboli; often S. aureus/IV drug use

Causes and Pathogenesis

S. aureus (or other virulent organism) aggressively infects valves, causing destruction/abscess/emboli.

Treatment

Urgent cultures; IV anti-staph antibiotics; early surgery for HF/abscess/large vegetations; ICU support

Preventive Measures

Endocarditis prophylaxis; treat infections; avoid IV drug use.

Department to Visit

It is recommended to visit the Cardiology/Infectious-disease department; an appointment can be booked on this platform before the visit.

Warm reminder: The above information is for health science reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek medical attention at a regular hospital promptly.