Introductory Chapter: Infective Endocarditis - An Introduction

*Robin Razmi and Peter Magnusson* 

## **1. Introduction**

 Infective endocarditis (IE) is a rare but potentially fatal condition. Almost always it is caused by bacteria, even though fungal endocarditis may occur. The infectious agent enters the bloodstream where it may adhere to the endocardium and predominantly the cardiac valves. While infective endocarditis (IE) may occur in any person, some risk factors are well known. Among these, the most significant are patients with valvular anomalies, prosthetic valves, cardiac implantable electric devices (CIEDs), and intravenous drug users. The clinical presentation may vary greatly depending on factors pertaining to the host as well as the causative microbe. Initial symptoms may be low-grade and unspecific but occasionally fulminant and severe. The diagnosis is often challenging and based on a combination of several clinical, microbiological, and radiological findings. The cornerstone of treatment is high-dose antibiotics, which are generally administered intravenously. However, pharmaceutical treatment alone is sometimes insufficient, and surgical intervention is required. This is particularly true in complicated cases, as well as in prosthetic valve endocarditis and CIED infection.
