Congenital Heart Disease

Bacterial Endocarditis

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Signs and Symptoms

Bacterial endocarditis is an infection of either the heart valves or of the inner surface, called the endocardium, of the heart. Bacteria in the mouth, intestinal tract or urinary tract travel to the heart via the bloodstream but usually don't cause a problem in normal hearts. However, hearts that have defects, often even if the defects have been repaired, are vulnerable to infection. Once infection occurs, the bacteria continue to grow and may seriously damage the heart.

Bacterial endocarditis is most likely to occur in patients who have:

• Aortic Valve Lesions
• Patent Ductus Arteriosus
• Tetralogy of Fallot
• Ventricular Septal Defect
• Aortic Coarctation
• Mitral Valve Prolapse
• Transposition of the Great Arteries

It is unlikely to occur in patients who have a completely repaired pulmonary valve stenosis, atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect or patent ductus arteriosus.

The usual signs of bacterial endocarditis are prolonged fever for two to three days in a person with congenital heart disease that occurs after a procedure in the mouth, intestinal tract or urinary tract. However, the infection may occur without a previous procedure. Symptoms may include:

• Poor appetite
• Fatigue
• Joint pain
• Rash
• Weight loss

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Medical Center.
Last updated May 8, 2007