EC Emergency Medicine and Critical Care

Infectious endocarditis (IE) is a rare and singular pathology. Its diagnosis remains difficult and a multi-disciplinary approach is required for adequate management. It remains a serious condition whose mortality rate of 30 to 40%.

There are well codified diagnostic criteria defining IE. These criteria, called Duke criteria, are based on a set of clinical, ultrasound and microbiological arguments.

Complications are common in IE. In fact, the majority of patients develop it in the course of the disease. Among them, perivalvular abscess, found in 30 - 40% of autopsies.

The management of IE is based on the eradication of pathogens by bactericidal antibiotic therapy. Additional surgery is often necessary.

Recommendations for IE prophylaxis have been revised over the past five years. The latest French, European and American recommendations insist more on the importance of maintaining good hygiene, especially oral hygiene, than on antibiotic prophylaxis.

Keywords: Infectious Endocarditis (IE); Severe Head Trauma

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