Infective endocarditis (IE) is the infection of the endocardium, most often by bacteria.
- Presents with fever, arthralia, myalgia, chest pain, and abdominal pain, typically appearing within 2 weeks of the bacteremia.
- The micro-organisms form vegetations on the endocardium, damaging it, along with the valves, and may break off and form emboli.
- The mitral and aortic valve are often affected, and the tricuspid valve is common in IV drug users. May cause mitral/aortic regurgitation.
- The emboli are rich in the infective agent, and may cause septic infarctions in the vessels they end up in.
- Congenital and acquired abnormalities of the cardiovascular system are a risk factor as they increase the