Endocarditis
Endocarditis is inflammation of the cells that line the heart on the inside of the chambers and the heart valves. If there is an abnormality in the heart, such as a structural defect in one of the valves or a hole between two of the chambers, then the cells are subject to inflammation, either as a result of infection from germs travelling in the bloodstream - bacterial endocarditis - or as a complication of generalised conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosis. There is fever, fatigue and heart failure, together with complications arising from small clumps of cells being swept from the abnormal area and lodging in small blood vessels in places such as the fingers or in the brain. In order to prevent the development of endocarditis, any person who has either an abnormal heart valve or a defect between the chambers must take antibiotic treatment before they undergo any surgical procedure (including dental treatment).
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