Infective Endocarditis

Once a certain number of bacteria manage to settle on a heart valve, they become increasingly difficult to dislodge as they form adhesive biofilm. Once the ball of bacteria is attached, it matures with the help of thrombondeposition and further bacterial proliferation. A vegetation may amblize to other organs, such as a spleen or kidneys, causing pain and organ dysfunction. Particular suspicion for infective endocarditis should be raised when evaluating patients with a recent history of injection drug use,. Those with prior prosthetic heart valves who present with new fever and systemic symptoms.