Prosthetic valve endocarditis: reviewing the problem.
Bacterial endocarditis is a serious complication of valve replacement, with an overall mortality of 59%. Fever, although a constant feature of the condition, is a nonspecific finding; other manifestations may or may not be present and the diagnosis may be overlooked. Any patient with a prosthetic heart valve and bacteremia should be considered to have endocarditis and should be treated accordingly.
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D006350:Heart Valve Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011379:Prognosis; D013997:Time Factors
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents