Endocarditis: past, present and future

Endocarditis: pasado, presente y futuro

Abstract

Endocarditis is a serious infection that must be taken into consideration, especially in the hospital setting. Despite scientific advances, its incidence and mortality continue to rise. As mentioned, the etiology has not changed much, but there is greater bacterial resistance due to the indiscriminate use of antibiotics. Thanks to research, there are now more accurate diagnostic methods that allow timely detection. Treatment is individualized and constantly evolving, such as the use of oral antibiotics without the need to keep the patient in the hospital for several weeks. In addition, the participation of a multidisciplinary team is recommended to achieve better outcomes, not only for the management of endocarditis but also for many other diseases faced by the healthcare community.