Infective endocarditis.
The diagnosis of infective endocarditis remains difficult. The complication rate is very high. Serious complications may occur and the overall mortality is still 20-25%. The sooner the treatment is started, the better the final result. Antibiotic therapy is essential but cardiac surgery is frequently necessary. Early surgery improves outcome. A multidisciplinary approach by internal medicine, cardiology and cardiac surgery facilitates the efficiency of diagnosis and treatment.
Herregods
M C
MC
University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium. Marie-Christine.Herregods@uz.kuleuven.ac.be
Hill
E
E
Herijgers
P
P
De Munter
P
P
Vanderschueren
S
S
Van Wijngaerden
E
E
Peetermans
W E
WE
D004696:Endocarditis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans