1. Use Cardiac Testing to Confirm a Diagnosis
Culture-negative endocarditis is an infection or inflammation of the lining of the heart. If left untreated, this condition can lead to cardiac arrest, congestive heart failure and death. Treating culture-negative endocarditis can be relatively simple once a proper diagnosis is confirmed. A physician will conduct a series of tests to confirm culture-negative endocarditis and will be looking for such symptoms as a heart murmur, fever and an accelerated heart rate, known as tachycardia. A physician will probably begin with a chest x-ray and an electrocardiogram (ECG). Blood work, including a CBC blood count and blood cultures will be taken to differentiate culture-negative endocarditis from other types. Final confirmation of this condition will probably be obtained through an echocardiogram. In some cases, a probe may be sent down the throat into the esophagus to monitor the inflammation and infection.
2. Determine the Right Treatment
Once a diagnosis is complete, the treatment may begin. In most cases, antibiotics and anti-fungal medications are given over a six week period. This will help to eliminate the infections and clear up any abscesses, especially around the heart valves. In more serious cases, heart surgery may be necessary, especially in cases where an abscess has damaged the heart valves. In severe cases of endocarditis, existing heart valves may need to be removed and heart valve prostheses may need to be transplanted.
3. Follow up With Additional Cardiac Exams
Even after the inflammation and infections have disappeared, it may still be necessary to complete cardiac exams on a regular basis. Once culture-negative endocarditis has been contracted, it is very common for it to recur. If you do not treat your heart condition on a consistent basis, you may develop such complications as congestive heart failure, perivalvular abscesses (infection of the heart valves), infected blood clots (emboli) and intracardiac fistulae (missed connections within the heart). All of these conditions require surgery.
