Treatment
Infective endocarditis is a fatal disease if left untreated. Antibiotics form the mainstay of treatment of infective endocarditis. To begin with, an empirical antibiotic treatment is initiated. This is continued till cultures yield a definitive pathogenic organism. Specific therapy targeting the particular organism is then started. Intravenous administration of antibiotics may be done for a minimum of 2 weeks and often up to 8 weeks.
Surgery may be required to repair or replace damaged valves. Other indications that call for surgery include:
- To remove vegetations
- Drain abscesses if antibiotics do not work
- Significant leaks from valves
- Birth defect that connects one chamber of the heart to another
