Neurological Complications of Infective Endocarditis

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Abstract
Infective endocarditis is the fourth leading cause of life-threatening infections, accounting for 40,000 annual U.S. hospital admissions. Due to decline in rheumatic heart disease, a shift in causative organisms from viridans streptococci to S. aureus, Group D Streptococcus, and multidrug-resistant species has been observed. The spectrum of neurological complications ranges widely from cerebrovascular pathologies-including septic embolization, mycotic aneurysms, and intracerebral hemorrhages-to seizures, meningitis, cerebritis, and abscess. Transthoracic echocardiogram remains the standard for initial investigation whereas CT scans, MRI with DWI sequence, and cerebral angiograms are useful for exploring neurological complications. Antibiotic regimens, tailored to culprit organisms, should be initiated early after obtaining blood cultures and continued for 4 to 6 weeks. Antithrombotic treatment may pose increased risk for intracerebral hemorrhage, even in the absence of mycotic aneurysms (MA). Unruptured MA must be treated according to risk of rupture and overall health of the patient. MAs either at risk or previously ruptured should be secured by neurosurgical or endovascular means. Early cardiac surgery is a viable option for prevention of septic embolization for high-risk cardiac diseases such as perivalvular abscess and infection with resistant organisms, but may increase mortality rates for those with decompensated heart failure.

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