Noninfective endocarditis

[Jason Yan]

Endocarditis usually involves infection of the inner lining of the heart (endocardium) and/or heart valves (infective endocarditis). However, endocarditis also can occur without infection. This form is called noninfective endocarditis.
Noninfective endocarditis develops when fibrous blood clots without microorganisms (sterile vegetations) form on damaged heart valves. Damage may be due to a birth defect, rheumatic fever, or an autoimmune disorder (in which antibodies attack the heart valves). Rarely, damage results from insertion of a catheter into the heart. People most at risk include those with the following:

Systemic lupus erythematosus (an autoimmune disorder)
Antiphospholipid syndrome (a disorder of excessive blood clots)
Lung, stomach, or pancreatic cancer
Tuberculosis
Pneumonia
Sepsis (a severe blood infection)
Uremia (the buildup of wastes in the blood)
Burns

Noninfective endocarditis, like infective endocarditis, may cause heart valves to leak or not open normally. Arteries may become blocked if vegetations break loose (becoming emboli), travel through the bloodstream to other parts of the body, and lodge in an artery, blocking it. Sometimes blockage can have serious consequences. Blockage of an artery to the brain can cause a stroke, and blockage of an artery to the heart can cause a heart attack. Organs that are often affected include the lungs, kidneys, spleen, and brain. Emboli also often travel to the skin and back of the eye (retina).
Malfunction of the heart valves can cause heart failure. Symptoms of heart failure include cough, shortness of breath, and swelling of the legs.
Symptoms of noninfectious endocarditis occur when emboli form. The symptoms depend on what part of the body is affected.