How is Endocarditis Diagnosed?
DiagnosisBefore your doctor can diagnose endocarditis, a physical examination and discussion of the symptoms you are experiencing must be done. After this, diagnostic tests for endocarditis will be scheduled.
These tests used for endocarditis diagnosis will include:
- Blood tests. Some reasons blood tests will be ordered are:
- To determine the type of bacteria causing the infection, a different pathogen causes each inflammatory heart condition.
- A complete blood count will establish whether an unusually high number of white blood cells are present, indicating an infection somewhere in the body.
- Blood tests revealing C-reactive proteins are an indication of heart inflammation.
- Echocardiograms. These ultrasound tests can reveal growths (called vegetations) on your heart valves, holes (abscesses), leaking valves (regurgitation), or narrowing valves (stenosis). An echocardiogram can also detect problems with existing artificial heart valves.
- Heart valve tissue. A small piece of heart valve tissue is examined for specific microbes.
- Positron emission tomography (PET) scans. These scans use nuclear medicine containing radioactive material to create a clear image of the infection’s location.
- Chest X-ray. A chest X-ray can show whether endocarditis has caused the heart to swell or if the infection has spread to the lungs.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). This painless test records the heart’s electrical activity through sensors attached to the chest, arms, and legs. This test is not explicitly designed to detect endocarditis. However, it can show if there is a disruption in the heart’s electrical activity, which could indicate heart inflammation.
How is Endocarditis Treated?
TreatmentDoctors prefer to use antibiotics as the first course of treatment for endocarditis. Surgery may be required to repair or replace damaged heart valves if the medication is ineffective. The antibiotic used depends on the pathogen causing the endocarditis infection.
Medication
High doses of intravenous antibiotics are used for bacterial endocarditis treatment. In this case, you would be required to spend about a week in the hospital so your doctor can closely monitor you. If the treatment is working and your fever and symptoms have dissipated, you may be able to leave the hospital. You may be required to continue the antibiotics once you are home by either a visiting home healthcare provider or a visit to the doctor’s office. This course of treatment generally takes several weeks to complete.
If a fungus causes endocarditis, antifungal medication would be prescribed. Sometimes a regimen of antifungal medication may be prescribed for long-term use to prevent recurring fungal infections that could trigger another episode of endocarditis.
Surgery
If an endocardial inflammation infection cannot be treated with medication, heart valve surgery may be required to replace a damaged valve. Typically, heart valve replacements use a mechanical valve made from either cow, pig, or human heart tissue (biologic tissue valve). Once an artificial valve is introduced to the body, people usually remain on blood thinners to prevent the formation of blood clots.
Trust NewYork-Presbyterian for Endocarditis Treatment
If you think you are having a heart attack—don’t wait—call 911 immediately. Time is key to survival when it comes to having a heart attack.
Symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, flu-like symptoms with fever, and chills can all indicate an inflammatory heart condition like endocarditis. Schedule an appointment with one of the expert cardiovascular doctors at NewYork-Presbyterian for endocarditis treatment.
Our team of heart specialists are among the top surgeons and cardiologists in the area. NewYork-Presbyterian provides state-of-the-art heart health care with one of the highest levels of positive outcomes. Whether you’re dealing with an inflammatory heart condition or any other type of heart infection, NewYork-Presbyterian is here to keep you amazing.