Evaluation of Systemic Microvascular Endothelial Dysfunction in Patients Presenting With Infective Endocarditis

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a severe clinical condition with a high in-hospital and 5-year mortality. It has a growing incidence, both related to healthcare and possibly to changes in prophylaxis recommendations regarding oral procedures. Though not a new disease, several aspects in its clinical and laboratory diagnosis remain to be better studied and innovated. The evaluation of systemic microvascular disease has proven crucial in the investigation and comprehension of pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases, as well as a tool for early diagnosis and prediction of complications. Few studies deal with microcirculation in patients with IE, and so far none utilizing speckle contrast imaging and functional capillary density. The present study will contribute to the investigation of microcirculatory changes in IE and possibly to earlier diagnosis of the condition and/or of its severity and complications. The aim of the study is to evaluate the changes in microvascular bed of patients with both acute and subacute endocarditis by speckle contrast imaging and skin video-capillaroscopy.