Background—Infective endocarditis is a potentially lethal disease that has undergone major changes in both host and
pathogen. The epidemiology of infective endocarditis has become more complex with today’s myriad healthcare-associated factors that predispose to infection. Moreover, changes in pathogen prevalence, in particular a more common
staphylococcal origin, have affected outcomes, which have not improved despite medical and surgical advances.
Methods and Results—This statement updates the 2005 iteration, both of which were developed by the American Heart
Association under the auspices of the Committee on Rheumatic Fever, Endocarditis, and Kawasaki Disease, Council on
Cardiovascular Disease of the Young. It includes an evidenced-based system for diagnostic and treatment recommendations
used by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association for treatment recommendations.
Conclusions—Infective endocarditis is a complex disease, and patients with this disease generally require management by a
team of physicians and allied health providers with a variety of areas of expertise. The recommendations provided in this
document are intended to assist in the management of this uncommon but potentially deadly infection. The clinical variability
and complexity in infective endocarditis, however, dictate that these recommendations be used to support and not supplant
decisions in individual patient management. (Circulation. 2015;132:00-00. DOI: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000296.)
Key Words: AHA Scientific Statements ◼anti-infective agents ◼echocardiography ◼endocarditis ◼infection
