BMJ  2006;333 (12 August), doi:10.1136/bmj.333.7563.0-c

Managing infective endocarditis: take blood cultures first, treat later

Endocarditis remains an important clinical problem with the rise of intravenous drug misuse, degenerative valve disease, and nosocomial infection, and it should be managed by a multidisciplinary team, say Beynon and colleagues (p 334). This clinical review revisits the pathophysiology and symptoms of infective endocarditis; describes its investigation with blood cultures, echocardiography, and serological and histological testing; discusses diagnostic criteria; and explores antimicrobial and surgical treatment. Boxes list the Duke diagnostic criteria, criteria for tertiary care and surgery, and what general practitioners need to consider.

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Relevant Article

Infective endocarditis

Rhys P Beynon, V K Bahl, and Bernard D Prendergast
BMJ 2006 333: 334-339. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]