Hemodynamic changes in infective endocarditis

Hemodynamic disturbances in patients with infective endocarditis (IE) are complex and might be consequences of various pathogenic processes. Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a major contributor of hemodynamic derangements, but since IE is often a septic disease, reversible myocardial dysfunction as well as septic shock might sometimes dominate or represent additional contributing factors of disturbed hemodynamics. The major cause of CHF is malfunction of affected valves. It occurs with an incidence of 32 % and is often severe. This is why CHF is the most important risk factor associated with poor patient outcome. Results of the project 'International Collaboration on Endocarditis’ related to the characteristics of CHF in patients with IE are presented.