Acute infective endocarditis is a rare disease found in IV drug abusers or the immunosuppressed, or following an acute suppurative illness such as pneumonia or meningitis. Normal valves are affected in 50% of cases.
Most cases are due to Staph. aureus but Strep. pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, gonococcus and meningococcus may be involved.
The condition has a stormy onset with a persistent fever, chills, weakness and lassitude. The onset of endocarditis is suggested by the development of heart murmurs, vasculitis and emboli, including metastatic abscesses.
The development of severe heart failure may indicate chordal rupture or acute valvular destruction.
Acute infective endocarditis is distinguished from the more common subacute form of endocarditis on the basis of the virulence of the pathogenic organism involved and clinical presentation. The incidence, investigation, treatment etc. of acute infective endocarditis is considered together with the other forms of endocarditis.
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