Complications of Endocarditis

Infective endocarditis (IE) is an endovascular infection and inflammation with vegetation formation, usually caused by infectious agents. Bacterial infection is most common for IE, but other pathogens such as fungi, richettsia, chlamydia and virus, can also cause IE [1]. The vegetations vary in size and shape and are composed of platelet and fibrin blocks with plenty of microbial and small amounts of inflammatory cells inside [2]. IE occurs mostly in the patients with cardiac abnormalities or lesions including rheumatic heart disease, ventricular septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, valvular stenosis or incompetence [3]. Nevertheless, IE can also be seen in other conditions, such as valve replacement, pacemaker implantation, intrave‐ nous drug users and a few people without cardiac lesions. Most patients are young and clinically exhibit low to mild fever, progressive anemia, asthenia, night sweat, hepatospleno‐ megaly and clubbed finger (toe) [1-3].