A patient with burns is at increased risk for infective endocarditis, regardless of burn size. Its presence may be masked by the burn and its complications.
The infection is most often on the mitral or aortic valve, but can occur on any valve or mural endocardium.
Risk factors:
(1) indwelling central catheter
Manifestations:
(1) persistent unexplained fever
(2) persistently positive blood cultures
(3) unexplained clinical deterioration
Common pathogens:
(1) Staphylococcus aureus
(2) Pseudomonas aeruginosa
(3) other Gram-negative bacteria
Transesophageal echocardiography is often diagnostic.
To read more or access our algorithms and calculators, please log in or register.
