ACUTE INFECTIVE ENDOCARDITIS - DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC APPROACH

Acute bacterial endocarditis (ABE) is clinically distinct from subacut e bacterial endocarditis in terms of pathologic virulence, acuteness a nd severity of illness, complications, and prognosis. The term infecti ous endocarditis may be useful as a general term but conveys no meanin gful clinical information. ABE presents as an acute, fulminant intraca rdiac infection with fevers (temperature >102 degrees F) that are caus ed by highly virulent known pathogens. Septic embolic phenomena, valve dysfunction, and congestive heart failure are characteristic. Parente ral and oral antibiotic treatment regimens are discussed.