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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How Long Will The Endocarditis Bacteria Infection Causing Heart Murmur Last?

My husband was diagnosed this week with Staph Endocarditis, he had a fever feeling very tired. He is a dialysis patient for the past five years. He has never had this kind of problem before. He has been hospitalized at Kaiser, I was told that this Endocarditis bateria has attached itself to the heart valve. They have hooked him up to an IV giving him antbotics to fight this infection he no longer has a fever. Today I was told that he has a blood clot in his right arm that is swollen also his stomach is swollen. My question is what caused this blood clot and swelling? How long is this infection going to last how serious is this vegetation, that has attached itself to his heart valve and has caused a heart murmur that was dected by this ECHO that was done on his heart. I am very worried my husband is 71 years old. He is also being treated for high blood pressure.
posted on Wed, 13 Aug 2014
Twitter Sat, 18 Jul 2015 Answered on
Twitter Fri, 10 Jun 2016 Last reviewed on
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Cardiologist,  's  Response
hello,I have gone through your query.Thanks for using HCM.
Usually Infective endocarditis does not affect structurally normal heart valves.Did he have pre existing valvular heart disease?
In any case it is serious infection and usually needs proper antibiotics for about 4 weeks.There is risk of dislodgement of vegetation and producing septic embolisation.The swollen right arm is mostly secondary to such septic clot blocking the artery.There may be stress ulcers in stomach producing swelling.It seems serious condition.However outcome depends on associated conditions and his own immunity.
My best wishes
Dr.Rajesh Teli,MD
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Cardiac Surgeon,  Dr. Azam Jan's  Response
Endocarditis of the valve is a serious but treatable disease.IV antibiotics are needed for around 6 weeks for it to clear the bacteria.His blood clot could be related to his dialysis catheters.In some cases if antibiotic dont work then patients might need surgery for the valve.
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How Long Will The Endocarditis Bacteria Infection Causing Heart Murmur Last?

hello,I have gone through your query.Thanks for using HCM. Usually Infective endocarditis does not affect structurally normal heart valves.Did he have pre existing valvular heart disease? In any case it is serious infection and usually needs proper antibiotics for about 4 weeks.There is risk of dislodgement of vegetation and producing septic embolisation.The swollen right arm is mostly secondary to such septic clot blocking the artery.There may be stress ulcers in stomach producing swelling.It seems serious condition.However outcome depends on associated conditions and his own immunity. My best wishes Dr.Rajesh Teli,MD