"What are the Pathological Insights into Endocarditis?"

Endocarditis Nursing and Understanding

In nursing patients with endocarditis, if we can provide adequate care, their suffering will be alleviated. However, in general, if we can promptly consider the patient's pain, it will also enhance the effectiveness of their treatment. This is because patients with endocarditis, aware of their illness's discomfort, are more likely to cooperate with treatment.

Etiology and Pathogenesis

The primary pathogens causing endocarditis are virulent pyogenic bacteria, with Staphylococcus aureus being the most common, followed by Streptococcus hemolyticus, and Streptococcus pneumoniae can also cause it. This type of endocarditis often occurs on normal endocardium, primarily affecting the mitral or aortic valves individually, with rare involvement of the tricuspid and pulmonary valves. Lesions typically develop on the atrial aspect of the mitral valve and the ventricular aspect of the aortic valve, related to mechanical damage caused by blood flow impacting the valves.

Pathological Changes

Macroscopically, large vegetations often form at the closing margin of the valves. These vegetations are grayish-yellow or grayish-green, soft in texture, and prone to detachment, forming bacterial emboli that can cause infarction and multiple small abscesses (septic infarction) in certain organs. In severe cases, valve rupture, perforation, and/or chordae tendineae rupture may occur, leading to acute valve insufficiency and sudden death.

For patients with endocarditis, the condition is often congenital. Only by effectively managing their pain and discomfort can we achieve better treatment and nursing outcomes. Of course, properly caring for patients with endocarditis also has benefits in preventing disease complications. Regardless, it is essential to consider the patient's pain and suffering.