Helen Williams, consultant pharmacist for cardiovascular disease, south London

摘要

This case highlights many of the challenges in treating patients with infective endocarditis. Targeted and well managed antibiotic therapy is the key to successful treatment. Early identification of the causative organism is, therefore, essential. As in this case, blood cultures should be drawn before the initiation of empirical antibiotic therapy - early antibiotic exposure before drawing blood cultures is the most common reason for a culture negative result, which leaves clinicians unsure of the specific bacteria responsible and prevents tailored antibiotic therapy in accordance with sensitivities.