Bacterial infection of heart valves
Discussion
My wife was diagnosed with this over a week ago after an echocardiogram. She went in as an outpatient but the Cardiologist insisted she had to be admitted straight away. It now turns out that she has to stay in for 6 weeks having intravenous antibiotics 4 times a day.
Obviously I've consulted Dr. Google and this condition looks quite serious, so I was wondering if anybody out there in PH land has any experience of this condition and what sort of outcome we can expect.
The weird thing is my wife seems quite well now although she hadn't been feeling 100% for about a month before the diagnosis and the prospect of another 5 weeks in hospital is not something she is looking forward to.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Obviously I've consulted Dr. Google and this condition looks quite serious, so I was wondering if anybody out there in PH land has any experience of this condition and what sort of outcome we can expect.
The weird thing is my wife seems quite well now although she hadn't been feeling 100% for about a month before the diagnosis and the prospect of another 5 weeks in hospital is not something she is looking forward to.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Hello,
I can only offer you learning I undertook to qualify as an ECA a few months back. Endocarditis is obviously not the best thing for a person to have and hospital is the best place for them. The key will be ensuring it wholly clears up and doesn't lurk as a chronic (or become acute) nasty they never properly get rid of.
I recall the bacteria become opportunistic following a range of potential low pathogenicity events such as tooth pulled or a reduced immune response caused by certain meds your partner maybe on or caused another underlying condition they may have. What is worth confirming with the fabulous staff nursing them is whether there is an underlying valve cusp issue; bacteria has a habit of settling in these places. If so, then identifying a valve issue now will mean it can be managed and sorted when the time is right as opposed to remaining hidden. i myself have an ascending aortic bicuspid valve so run the risk of infective endocarditis; I appreciate it is a major worry for you right now but I can't stress enough how hospital is the best place for them right now.
Hoping the above helps. Please keep us posted?
I can only offer you learning I undertook to qualify as an ECA a few months back. Endocarditis is obviously not the best thing for a person to have and hospital is the best place for them. The key will be ensuring it wholly clears up and doesn't lurk as a chronic (or become acute) nasty they never properly get rid of.
I recall the bacteria become opportunistic following a range of potential low pathogenicity events such as tooth pulled or a reduced immune response caused by certain meds your partner maybe on or caused another underlying condition they may have. What is worth confirming with the fabulous staff nursing them is whether there is an underlying valve cusp issue; bacteria has a habit of settling in these places. If so, then identifying a valve issue now will mean it can be managed and sorted when the time is right as opposed to remaining hidden. i myself have an ascending aortic bicuspid valve so run the risk of infective endocarditis; I appreciate it is a major worry for you right now but I can't stress enough how hospital is the best place for them right now.
Hoping the above helps. Please keep us posted?
Thanks Kurt. Strange you should mention dental work as a potential cause because my wife had a tooth removed about 4 years ago and ever since has been complaining of a sore gum and a disgusting taste in her mouth. Her dentist didn't take it seriously and nothing was done, perhaps that's where the problem originated.
I realise hospital is the best place for her and know the consequences if the infection migrates to other organs.
She had a trans oesophegal cardiogram today so hopefully that will help in her treatment.
I realise hospital is the best place for her and know the consequences if the infection migrates to other organs.
She had a trans oesophegal cardiogram today so hopefully that will help in her treatment.
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