1. Look for Signs and Symptoms
Culture-negative endocarditis, an infection or inflammation of the lining of the heart, differs from other types of endocarditis in that the organisms that cause the condition cannot grow from a blood sample culture. The signs and symptoms of this heart condition include fever, difficulty with breathing and extreme fatigue. During a medical examination, a physician may also note tachycardia (an abnormally fast heart rate) and a heart murmur (as revealed in a basic cardiac exam).
2. Learn Whether You Carry a High Risks
There are several possible medical conditions that may put you at risk for developing this heart condition. Patients with culture-negative endocarditis have often contracted rheumatic fever as children, which caused damage or infection to heart valves. People suffering from congenital heart defects or have had artificial valve implants are also at a high risk for developing all types of endocarditis. Other factors for developing culture-negative endocarditis include intravenous drug use or frequent infections such as dental abscesses or internal lesions.
3. Identify Culture-Negative Endocarditis Through a Doctor's Exam
This heart condition can usually be identified through a selection of cardiac tests, including a chest x-ray, an ECG, a complete blood count (CBC) test, various blood cultures and an echocardiogram. One of the more effective ways to identify an inflammation or infection of the heart lining is to perform a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE), which is a specialized echocardiogram that involves sending a probe down the patient's throat and into the esophagus.
4. Watch for Complications of Culture-Negative Endocarditis
Once this heart condition has been identified, it's important to keep an eye out for secondary symptoms or medical conditions that may result. These include perivalvular abscesses and infections, infected blood clots and intracardiac fistulae (missed connections of blood flow within the heart). If not monitored by your physician, these conditions could cause congestive heart failure.
