How serious is it for endocarditis infection to relapse?
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I have a heart problem and therefore need to discuss cardiac issues.
Please help.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
The echocardiography report you have shared is not displaying completely. I would appreciate it if you could share it again.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
Thank you for the reply.
I have a history of endocarditis infection 20 years back with heart surgery to repair damage. Four years back, I developed AFIB (atrial fibrillation). Then, just a few days ago, I blacked out completely and lost my vision for four hours. I was admitted to the hospital, where I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure.
They discharged me; however, I am still not feeling well. I do not have any additional information. They told me to find a cardiologist. I do not know the severity of this, and I am also experiencing similar symptoms to when I had my endocarditis 20 years back. Is it possible to relapse with endocarditis? Could I be experiencing this all over again? Secondly, is this a severe situation where I should consider checking into a heart specialty hospital and being impatient until I get this resolved?
Please help.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
Thank you for the details.
I would like to know a few things before we discuss in detail:
-
Can you please share a record of your surgery done 20 years back?
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I would also like to know what the diagnosis of your vision loss is. Why did your doctor believe you lost your vision?
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About congestive heart failure, what were your symptoms, and what was the basis for establishing the diagnosis of congestive heart failure? Can you please share the record of your recent hospital admission?
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Is there any fever lately? Any history of cough, chest congestion, hemoptysis or blood in sputum, urinary or gastrointestinal issues?
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Could you please provide your previous echocardiogram report? Additionally, please share any recent laboratory results, such as those from a CT (computed tomography) scan, if one was performed during your recent hospital visit.
Infective endocarditis is an infection of one of your heart valves. These infections occur more often on previously damaged valves, but they can also occur on healthy heart valves.
People with prosthetic valves and prosthetic materials, such as annuloplasty rings, are more susceptible to infective endocarditis compared to the general population.
Most patients with infective endocarditis experience several of the following symptoms: fever, chills, fatigue, night sweats, lethargy, joint pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, blood in the urine, rapid heart rate, a new murmur, or shortness of breath.
The diagnosis is made based on the above symptoms and laboratory tests, which are selected according to the presence or absence of those symptoms.
If there are criteria that strongly suggest infective endocarditis, it is treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics.
I hope this has helped you.
Please feel free to reach me again in case of further queries.
Thank you.
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
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