Heartbreaking Decisions: The Dogma and Uncertainties of Antimicrobial Therapy in Infective Endocarditis

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a rare but increasingly prevalent disease with high morbidity and mortality, requiring antimicrobials and at times surgical intervention. Through the decades of healthcare professionals’ experience with managing IE, certain dogmas and uncertainties have arisen around i...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Jennifer L. Adema, Aileen Ahiskali, Madiha Fida, Krutika Mediwala Hornback, Ryan W. Stevens, Christina G. Rivera
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-05-01
Series:Pathogens
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/12/5/703
Description
Summary:Infective endocarditis (IE) is a rare but increasingly prevalent disease with high morbidity and mortality, requiring antimicrobials and at times surgical intervention. Through the decades of healthcare professionals’ experience with managing IE, certain dogmas and uncertainties have arisen around its pharmacotherapy. The introduction of new antimicrobials and novel combinations are exciting developments but also further complicate IE treatment choices. In this review, we provide and evaluate the relevant evidence focused around contemporary debates in IE treatment pharmacotherapy, including beta-lactam choice in MSSA IE, combination therapies (aminoglycosides, ceftaroline), the use of oral antimicrobials, the role of rifamycins, and long-acting lipoglycopeptides.
ISSN:2076-0817