How is endocarditis treated? Medications, antibiotics or surgery?

Author:
Bc. Lukáš Tóth
Bc. Lukáš Tóth
Healthcare worker

Treatment is chosen on the basis of a thorough diagnosis. In case of a severe course, antibiotic treatment is given immediately and the results from the laboratory are not expected. 

Infectious endocarditis is, therefore, an antibiotic treatment, or treatment against fungal and other microorganisms. In the case of a minor course, ATB treatment is given on the basis of the evaluation of microorganisms and sensitivity to ATB.

ATB treatment can last for 4 to 6 weeks. The form of administration is indicated based on the findings of the diagnosis.

Plus.

Pharmacological treatment includes:

  • cardiac support
  • prevention of high blood pressure and arrhythmias
  • anti-inflammatory treatment, corticoids
  • symptomatic treatment, pain, fever
  • associated complications require special treatment according to the difficulties induced
    • heart attack
    • myocardial infarction
    • stroke
    • renal failure
    • embolization
    • and other
  • treatment of the primary disease
  • vitamins

Regime measures are also important. It is mainly about limiting physical activity and avoiding medium and heavy loads.

Surgical treatment is chosen after careful evaluation. However, it is best to perform surgery before the heart is affected. The indication is damage to the valve with subsequent failure of heart activity.

An example of an indication for early surgical treatment  is:

  • acute valve regurgitation - leads to heart failure
    • aortic or mitral
  • persistence of infection after 7-10 days of antibiotic treatment
  • some infections with specific microorganisms (fungi, Coxiella, Staphylococcus, Brucella)
  • repeated embolizations
  • vegetation leading to obstruction - clogging

 The aim of the surgery is to remove the infected vegetation and the damaged valve and replace it with an artificial prosthesis.

In these cases, an operation is a life-saving act.

The prognosis depends on early diagnosis and early treatment of endocarditis. Of course also from the cause.

Prevention includes, for example:

  • adequate oral hygiene
  • dental treatment of diseased teeth and gum disease
  • adequate treatment of infections of the oral cavity, tonsils, diseases of the upper respiratory tract
  • early examination for symptoms
  • adequate treatment of skin infections, even after piercings, tattoos
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Bc. Lukáš Tóth
Bc. Lukáš Tóth
Healthcare worker
The secondary medical school in Nitra gave me the basis for my career in the field of health and diseases. Thanks to it, I worked for 2 years in the traumatology clinic and outpatient clinic at the Nitra Hospital. Since 2006 I was employed in the emergency medical service, where I stayed until 2017. I completed my bachelor's degree at the University of Constantine the Philosopher in Nitra in the field of emergency health care. The bachelor's degree allowed me to continue my mission as a paramedic. In the meantime, I got a job at the emergency line 155. I have been working in pre-hospital health care until today. I had an interest in people, health and even diseases in my childhood, which gave me the prerequisite to pursue this topic in adulthood. Studying and acquiring new information in practice provided me with a great basis for writing professional texts, in the form of articles that can be understood by ordinary people. Thus, my interest in the Health Portal has a solid foundation in years of practice and personal interest. Similarly, I am also interested in healthy eating, nutrition and overall healthy lifestyle. I fill my free time with family and sports.
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