Acute and subacute endocarditis
Acute and subacute bacterial endocarditis
- infection occuring when bacteria in the bloodstream (bacteremia) adhere to abnormal heart valves or other damaged heart tissue; characterized by growths, known as vegetations, on the valves or other areas of the heart which can break off, travel to other parts of the body, and cause serious complications; a common causative bacteria is staphylococcus, but any organism entering the bloodstream from any site of prior infection can result in the infection.
- Subacute inflammation of the endocardium. Streptococcus viridans is the usual etiologic agent of SBE. The distinction between "acute" and "subacute" endocarditis has traditionally been made based on the pathogenic organism and clinical presentation.
Acute and subacute infective endocarditis in diseases classified elsewhere
Acute endocarditis unspecified
- Acute inflammation of the endocardium. Bacteria is the usual etiologic agent, and the distinction between "acute" and "subacute" has traditionally been made based on the pathogenic organism and clinical presentation.
