The Disease, Treatment, and Prevention

Endocarditis is a disease characterized by inflammation or infection of the inner surface of the heart (the endocardium). This article will focus on endocarditis that is the result of infection (infective endocarditis). Endocarditis commonly affects heart valves, but may also involve nonvalvular areas or mechanical devices that are implanted in the heart, such as artificial heart valves, pacemakers, or implantable defibrillators. Infective endocarditis is an uncommon, but not rare, disease affecting about 10 000 to 20 000 persons in the United States each year.1 Although uncommon, endocarditis is important because, despite antimicrobial therapy, it can result in serious complications such as stroke, the need for open heart surgery, or even death.