Endocardial Diseases: What You Need to Know
Endocardial diseases affect the endocardium, the innermost layer of the heart. These conditions can be life-threatening if not treated properly. The most common endocardial disease is infective endocarditis, but other conditions like non-infective endocarditis and endocardial fibroelastosis also exist.
Types of Endocardial Diseases
1. Infective Endocarditis (IE)
This is a bacterial or fungal infection of the endocardium, often involving the heart valves.
Causes:
- Bacteria entering the bloodstream (e.g., from dental procedures, IV drug use, prosthetic valves).
Symptoms:
- Fever, chills, heart murmurs, fatigue, small skin hemorrhages.
- Diagnosis:
- Blood cultures, echocardiogram.
- Treatment:
- Long-term intravenous antibiotics; surgery may be required in severe cases.
2. Non-Infective Endocarditis
- Types:
- Libman-Sacks endocarditis (associated with lupus)
- Marantic endocarditis (associated with cancer or chronic disease)
Symptoms:
- Often asymptomatic but may lead to embolisms causing strokes.
- Treatment:
- Managing the underlying disease and preventing thromboembolic complications.
3. Endocardial Fibroelastosis (EFE)
A rare pediatric disorder characterized by thickening of the endocardium.
Causes:
Congenital defects or viral infections.
Symptoms:
Heart failure signs in infants (breathing difficulty, poor feeding).
Treatment:
Heart failure management; in severe cases, heart transplantation may be needed.
Causes:
Congenital defects or viral infections.
Symptoms:
Heart failure signs in infants (breathing difficulty, poor feeding).
Treatment:
Heart failure management; in severe cases, heart transplantation may be needed.
Risk Factors
Heart valve disease
Prosthetic heart valves
Congenital heart disease
IV drug use
Immunosuppression
Prevention
Good oral hygiene to reduce bacteremia risk.
Prophylactic antibiotics before invasive procedures in high-risk patients.
Regular monitoring for those with congenital or prosthetic heart conditions.
Conclusion
Early diagnosis and management of endocardial diseases are crucial for preventing complications. If you experience persistent symptoms such as fever, fatigue, or abnormal heart sounds, consult your doctor immediately.
Information resources recommended
1. American Heart Association Guidelines on Infective Endocarditis
1. American Heart Association Guidelines on Infective Endocarditis
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/cir.0000000000000296
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/infective-endocarditis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17446442/
https://www.heart.org/-/media/files/health-topics/infective-endocarditis/infective-endocarditis-wallet-card.pdf
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2807791
https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/infective-endocarditis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17446442/
https://www.heart.org/-/media/files/health-topics/infective-endocarditis/infective-endocarditis-wallet-card.pdf
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2807791
2. European Society of Cardiology Guidelines for the management of endocarditis
2. European Society of Cardiology Guidelines for the management of endocarditis