Endocarditis risk factors
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2014 AHA/ACC Guideline for the Management of Patients With Valvular Heart Disease |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
The following are risk factors for the development of endocarditis:
- Prosthetic (artificial) heart valves
- Congenital heart disease (atrial septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, and others)
- Heart valve problems (such as mitral insufficiency)
- History of rheumatic heart disease
- Intravenous drug users are also at risk for this condition, because unsterile needles can cause bacteria to enter the bloodstream.