Risk Factors
Illicit use of drugs is a dangerous risk factor that directly injects bacteria into their bloodstream. Infection may occur through dirty needles, syringes, or drug solutions.
Risk Factors of Infective Endocarditis (IE) include:
- Cardiac conditions that cause turbulent flow at the endocardial surface (lining of the heart chambers) or across a valve predispose patients to Infective Endocarditis.
- Congenital heart disease: Birth defects that allow blood to leak from one part of the heart to another increase the risk of acquiring Infective Endocarditis in children and young adults.
- Damage to the heart due to rheumatic fever used to be a common risk factor for IE in the past. Rheumatic fever has become less common owing to the availability of antibiotics.
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- Illicit use of drugs is a dangerous risk factor that directly injects bacteria into their bloodstream. Infection occurs through dirty needles, syringes, or drug solutions.
- An artificial (prosthetic) heart valve is at risk of IE too. The risk of infective endocarditis is greatest during the first year after heart valve surgery. An artificial aortic valve is at a greater risk than with an artificial mitral valve. Similarly, a mechanical valve is at a greater risk than a valve made from an animal.
