**Introduction**

with aggressive and timely evaluation and management at the first signs of a potential infec‐ tion. Fortunately, with greater access to diagnostic testing and appropriate antimicrobial therapy, the prognosis has improved over the years. Most significantly, it has been the rec‐ ognition that early surgical intervention in appropriately selected patients also substantially

Endocarditis represents one of the few areas of medicine that require an aggressive and

open to reevaluation continuously as the clinical course can be difficult to predict. Good team communication cannot be overemphasized. As guidelines and protocols continue to evolve and assist in patient management, the variability in disease presentation requires each case to be individualized. While a single text on this topic would be overwhelming, the hope of this book is to highlight and provide modern insight into some of the current chal‐

a multidisciplinary team. The spectrum of problems and presentation of

**Michael S. Firstenberg, MD FACC**

Northeast Ohio Medical Universities

Akron, Ohio, USA

Akron City Hospital - Summa Health System

Associate Professor of Surgery and Integrative Medicine

a rapid response to determine an effective care plan. Such plans must be

improved the short- and long-term outcomes.

lenges and controversies that impact patient care directly.

timely response by

patients require

VIII Preface

#### **Introductory Chapter: Endocarditis - A Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenge Introductory Chapter: Endocarditis: A Diagnostic and Therapeutic Challenge**

Michael S. Firstenberg Michael S. Firstenberg

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/66406
