RT Book, Section A1 Freeman, Brian S. A2 Freeman, Brian S. A2 Berger, Jeffrey S. SR Print(0) ID 1135740203 T1 Subacute Bacterial Endocarditis T2 Anesthesiology Core Review: Part Two Advanced Exam YR 2016 FD 2016 PB McGraw-Hill Education PP New York, NY SN 9781259641770 LK accessanesthesiology.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1135740203 RD 2024/10/07 AB Infective endocarditis is a rare, life-threatening infection of the endocardium by bacteria or fungi. Cardiac conditions such as abnormal or prosthetic heart valves and congenital abnormalities predispose patients to infective endocarditis. Preexisting endothelial damage leads to platelet and fibrin deposits upon which nonbacterial thrombotic endocardial lesions form. Subsequent bacteremia provides a source of bacteria that adhere to the complex and proliferate within an infective vegetation. Endocardial vegetations can cause valvular insufficiency, myocardial abscesses, or even septic emboli. Because of the high mortality rate, infective endocarditis requires immediate treatment.