Reappraising Clinical Features of Bacterial Endocarditis

Abstract

New knowledge plus an apparent change in the natural history of bacterial endocarditis has altered our concepts of the disease. Staphylococcal endocarditis is being recognized more and more often and should be considered in every case of staphylococcal bacteremia, even if there is an obvious source of infection. A striking feature is the absence of demonstrable preexisting heart disease in many patients with endocarditis.