title: Infective endocarditis: prevention, diagnosis, treatment, referral.
abstract: Infective endocarditis is a challenge to the primary care physician, who is not likely to see more than several cases a year. With proper diagnosis and treatment, the overall cure rate is over 80% and major complications such as congestive heart failure can be avoided. In some patients, even in some with acute infection, surgical intervention to restore cardiac function significantly improves the outcome. Guidelines for prophylaxis before various surgical procedures are presented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Disease, Cleveland Clinic, USA. keyst@ccf.org
authors.forename: T F
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Keys
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents