Interv Akut Kardiol. 2007;6(4):139-143

Infective endocarditis

Martin Troubil¹, Petr Němec²

¹ Kardiochirurgická klinika FN a LF UP v Olomouci

² Centrum kardiovaskulární a transplantační chirurgie v Brně

Despite all improvements in health care and better scientific knowledge, the incidence of infective endocarditis has remained unchanged. This disease is changing face – rheumatic heart disease as a classic predisposing condition has been decreasing in incidence, whereas degenerative valve disease and prosthetic valves are becoming more frequent disposition. Furthermore, new possible cathegory has been emerging – due to increasing invasive procedures and vascular instrumentation, the occurence of so called nosocomial endocarditis is increasing. In connection with this, incidence of aggresive staphylococcal or atypical infections (such as fastidious organisms) is growing. Our diagnostic as well as therapeutic effort must respect these changes in features of infective endocarditis.

Keywords: infective endocarditis, prosthetic endocarditis, nosocomial endocarditis

Published: October 23, 2007  Show citation