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Risk factors

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Risk factors for infective endocarditis include:

  • congenital lesions:
    • ventral septal defect
    • tetralogy of Fallot
    • coarctation of aorta
    • patent ductus arteriosus

  • vascular abnormalities:
    • rheumatic involvement of any valve - but now less important in developed countries
    • bicuspid or calcific aortic valve
    • hypertrophic subaortic stenosis
    • mitral valve prolapse - most prevalent

  • I.V. drug abuse

  • abortion

  • prosthetic valve replacement

  • cardiac / urinary catheterisation

  • any invasive diagnostic or surgical procedure e.g.:
    • dental
    • upper respiratory
    • urological
    • lower GI
    • less commonly, upper GI and gynaecological

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