Endocarditis is an infection of the inner lining of your heart and occurs when bacteria or other germs from another part of your body spread through your bloodstream and attach to damaged areas in your heart. Left untreated, endocarditis can damage or destroy your heart valves and can lead to life-threatening complications. Treatments for endocarditis include antibiotics and, in certain cases, surgery.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with endocarditis that requires surgical intervention, our expert cardiothoracic surgeons at the Fred and Lena Meijer Heart Center will work closely with referring physicians and other specialists to develop a comprehensive treatment plan.