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Causes and risk factors

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Infective endocarditis is usually caused by bacteria that live elsewhere in the body, such as the mouth or the digestive/genitourinary tract, and spread through the bloodstream. If this bacteria passes through the heart, it can stick to heart valves, prosthetic valves or pacemaker wires, causing an infection.

Some patients are more predisposed to developing this disease:

Patients with congenital heart disease such as valve stenosis.

Patients with rheumatic valve disease.

Patients with prosthetic valves, pacemakers or defibrillator implants.

People who use intravenous catheters for a prolonged period of time.

Elderly patients.

Patients with a history of infective endocarditis.

Poor dental hygiene.

Using intravenous drugs (such as heroin).

Substantiated information by:

Eduardo Quintana Obrador Vascular Surgeon Cardiovascular Surgery Department

Josep M. Miró Meda

Marta Hernández Meneses

Published: 1 December 2021
Updated: 1 December 2021

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