UPMC Endovascular Infections Clinic

Bacteria and fungi that enter the bloodstream can lead to infections in the heart. These vascular infections can be serious and life-threatening. Heart infections aren't common, but people with cardiac devices or who use injectable drugs are at a higher risk.

The UPMC Endovascular Infections Clinic treats people with these complex infections using a team approach. As part of the UPMC Center for Care of Infectious Diseases, we work closely with other medical experts.

At the UPMC Endovascular Infections Clinic, we treat other illnesses that stem from the infection. This includes infections and damage from infection in other areas of the body. We also connect people to addiction services if needed.

Contact Us

Schedule an appointment by calling 412-647-7228.

Find an endovascular infections specialist.

What is the UPMC Endovascular Infections Clinic?

At the Endovascular Infections Clinic at UPMC, we diagnose and treat people with vascular or heart infections. Your heart and blood vessels move blood throughout your body. Keeping this system working well is essential to your health.

To provide the best treatment possible for these serious infections, we collaborate and work alongside other medical experts at UPMC, including specialists in cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, and addiction medicine. Together, we provide care for people with heart infections and their complications.

Health issues that stem from heart infections can affect the lungs or lead to a stroke. They can also damage other organs or areas of the body.

We offer those who become sick from drug use access to an addiction social worker. Successful drug rehabilitation is essential to preventing future infections. Our social worker ensures that people with heart infections receive the help and support they need during and after treatment for the infection.

The Endovascular Infections Clinic also provides second opinions. If you have an endovascular infection, contact us. We can review your case and offer a second opinion on your current treatment plan.

What conditions do you treat?

Infectious disease specialists in the Endovascular Infections Clinic treat:

Endocarditis

Endocarditis is an infection of the inner lining of the heart walls or valves. It's caused by bacteria or fungi that enter the bloodstream. The infection leads to inflammation.

If untreated, it can damage the heart and blood vessels. It can also spread to other parts of the body.

Complications related to endocarditis

Complications of heart infections may include:

• Septic thrombophlebitis — When a vein becomes clogged due to the infection.
• Mycotic aneurysms — When the wall of a blood vessel becomes weak and swells due to the infection.
• Septic emboli — When clumps of bacteria and clots break away from the heart valve and travel through the bloodstream to other body parts. This can cause strokes or lung injury.
• Endophthalmitis — An infection in the fluid or tissue in the eye.
• Bone and joint infections — Infections that spread to the bones and joints.

Cardiovascular implantable electronic device infections

We help manage the care of people with heart devices, such as pacemakers or defibrillators, who develop heart infections. They may develop endocarditis or infections on the device wires.

What causes heart infections?

Heart infections are most often caused by:

• Heart devices — Bacteria on medical devices, such as pacemakers and artificial heart valves.
• Intravenous drug use — Contaminated or blunt needles that drag bacteria and germs from the skin into the bloodstream.
• Medical procedures — Bacteria and germs can enter the bloodstream during infusions, transfusions, hemodialysis, long-term catheter use, and other procedures.
• Poor dental health — If you don't brush your teeth or floss regularly, bacteria can grow. These bacteria can enter the bloodstream through cuts or other openings in the gums.

What Services and Treatments Does the Endovascular Infections Clinic Offer?

Experts at the Endovascular Infections Clinic diagnose and treat heart infections. They'll work with other medical providers for any other health issues from the infection.

Diagnostic services and tests

Our experts will ask about your symptoms. They'll order tests to help determine if you have a heart valve infection. Tests will also confirm what treatments you need.

These tests may include:

• Blood cultures — This blood test looks for bacteria and fungi in the blood.
• Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) — The TTE test is a surface echocardiogram. It is an ultrasound that takes pictures of the heart from outside the body.
• Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) — The TEE test involves placing a small probe and camera down the esophagus. This allows doctors to take pictures of the heart from inside the body.

Doctors use these tests to determine the infection's size and location. They can also see whether it has damaged your heart.

Your doctor may also ask for other tests, such as images or a CT scan of the lungs, spleen, and brain. These tests determine if the infection has damaged any other parts of the body.

Treatments

Without treatment, heart infections can lead to stroke, damage the heart, and be life-threatening.

Treatment can include:

• Antibiotic therapy — Doctors prescribe high doses of antibiotics through a tube in your arm (intravenously, often called an IV). These medicines are usually given in the hospital. They can sometimes be taken at home.
• Antifungal therapy — If the infection is fungal, you may need high-dose antifungal medicines.
• Surgery — If the infection is spreading, severe, or causing damage to the heart, your doctor may suggest surgery. The surgeon will remove the affected area of the heart or replace or repair the heart valve.

Complications of Endovascular Infections

Endocarditis and other heart valve infections can lead to health issues in other body parts. These infections can impact the lungs, spleen, and brain. These health issues can be serious and life-threatening.

Why Choose UPMC for Endovascular Infections Treatment?

At UPMC, our infectious disease experts work closely with others to take a comprehensive approach to your care. UPMC's specialty Endovascular Infections clinic brings together multiple types of experts, including addiction medicine providers and cardiothoracic surgeons. They provide people with these rare and complicated infections with the best possible treatment.