Final answer:
A patient with infective endocarditis who develops an atrioventricular block may be experiencing a complication of the infection. Duke or Modified Duke criteria are used for diagnosis, and treatment involves antibiotics. AV blocks can be detected on an ECG and may indicate severe cardiac involvement necessitating further intervention.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a patient with infective endocarditis who develops an atrioventricular block, the discussion involves understanding the cardiac condition and its associated signs. Infective endocarditis is diagnosed through a set of criteria known as the Duke criteria or Modified Duke criteria, which include clinical, microbiological, and echocardiographic findings. An atrioventricular block, where there is interruption of electrical signals between the atria and ventricles of the heart, can be a complication of this condition. Treatment will generally involve the use of strong intravenous antibiotics.
AV blocks are classified into first, second, and third degrees. A third-degree, or complete block, shows no correlation between the P waves (atrial activity) and the QRS complexes (ventricular activity) on an electrocardiogram (ECG). Blood cultures, echocardiograms, and clinical symptoms such as fever can help diagnose endocarditis and its severity. Prolonged infection and inflammation can lead to complications such as heart valve damage, necessitating treatments like valve replacement.
Patient management may involve monitoring cardiac function and potential long-term complications like heart valve issues, making timely diagnosis and treatment crucial.