title: Infective endocarditis.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium. Marie-Christine.Herregods@uz.kuleuven.ac.be
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Herregods
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Herijgers
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De Munter
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vanderschueren
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Van Wijngaerden
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Peetermans
mesh_terms: D004696:Endocarditis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans