cardiovascular disorders
Noninfective Endocarditis
Introduction
Noninfective endocarditis refers to formation of sterile platelet and fibrin thrombi on cardiac valves and adjacent endocardium in response to trauma, circulating immune complexes, vasculitis, or a hypercoagulable state. Symptoms are those of systemic arterial embolism. Diagnosis is by echocardiography and negative blood cultures. Treatment consists of anticoagulants. Endocarditis usually refers to infection of the endocardium (ie, Infective Endocarditis ). The term can also include noninfective endocarditis, in which sterile platelet and fibrin thrombi form on cardiac valves and adjacent endocardium. Noninfective endocarditis sometimes leads to infective endocarditis. Both can result in embolization and impaired cardiac function. Noninfective endocarditis is rare and the diagnosis usually made at autopsy ( General reference ). Clinical diagnosis is based on a constellation of clinical findings rather than a single definitive test result. 