DIAGNOSTIC CRITERIA FOR ENDOCARDITIS

MAJOR CRITERIA

     Positive duplicate results of two separate blood cultures yielding an organism that is typically associated with endocarditis

     Positive echocardiographic involvement to include vegetations, abscess or new partial dehiscence of a prosthetic valve

     The development of a new regurgitant murmur

MINOR CRITERIA

     Evidence of a predisposing condition

          Rheumatic valvular disease

          Mitral valve prolapse

          Bicuspid aortic valve

          Calcific aortic valve

          Sclerotic aortic valve

          Prior history of endocarditis

          Ventricular septal defect

          Tetralogy of Fallot

          Coarctation of the aorta

          Patent ductus arteriosus

          Prosthetic heart valves

     Fever greater than 100.4 degrees F (38 degrees C)

     Evidence of embolic disease

     Associated immunologic phenomena

          Glomerulonephritis

          Janeway lesions

          Osler’s nodes

          Roth’s spots

          Positive rheumatoid factor

     Positive blood cultures which do not meet major criteria

     Echocardiographic abnormalities associated with endocarditis but not consistent with major criteria findings

The diagnosis of endocarditis is inferred when:

     Two major criteria are fulfilled or,

     One major and three minor criteria are fulfilled or,

     When five minor criteria are fulfilled.