Sinus Infection Risk Mechanical Valve

Travis Wise · Aug 26, 2024

Hi everyone! My name is Travis and I found out in November of last year about a BAV, aortic regurgitation, and an aortic aneurysm. I am new to all of this... Been following this forum for a while, but was hoping to as a question.

I had surgery in January of this year to replace my aortic valve. Since then I have been worried about infections and illness. I have been prone to sinus infections my whole adult life due to a deviated septum.

I started feeling sick (facial pressure, congestion, headaches) a few days ago and have worried myself that I could be getting endocarditis due to a sinus infection.

I have heard that sinus infections are likely viral as opposed to bacterial. I've also heard that while your risk of getting endocarditis is higher during the first year after surgery, it is still pretty low.

Have any of you all had experience with sinus infections and mechanical valves? How likely is it that one would contract endocarditis? And from a sinus infection?

Thank you in advance for any info!

Travis

3mm · Aug 26, 2024

Travis Wise said:
Have any of you all had experience with sinus infections and mechanical valves? How likely is it that one would contract endocarditis? And from a sinus infection?

I do not have relevant experience with sinus infections.

Have you sent these questions to your cardiologist? My medical system has a message section under my online account. The doctors and nurses answer questions that I've sent them.

Travis Wise · Aug 26, 2024

3mm said:
I do not have relevant experience with sinus infections.

Have you sent these questions to your cardiologist? My medical system has a message section under my online account. The doctors and nurses answer questions that I've sent them.

Thanks so much for the response. For some reason, my online portal will not allow me to send messages to them. I spoke with the cardiologist nurse who said talk to my primary. Problem is primary says talk to cardiologist.

Gail in Ca · Aug 26, 2024

I don’t have knowledge of sinus infections
and endocarditis. Medical people don’t seem to give detailed advice on preventing endocarditis, only take antibiotics before dental procedures.
I got bacterial endocarditis 8.5 yrs after my mechanical valve was placed. It was a very rare, nasty bacteria that lived on the skin and in the nose and wanted to kill me. The infectious disease doctor couldn’t figure out how I got it. I think your questions are valid and you should ask an infectious disease doctor if you don’t get very clear answers from a GP or cardiologist.

Protimenow · Aug 26, 2024

I understand your concerns. I get sinus infections every few months or so (it seems like they may be more frequent than this, but most just resolve on their own).

It's my understanding that the mouth has a lot more of the nasty bacteria that can cause bacterial endocarditis - plus an intimate contact with structures in the mouth that can easily transport them throughout the body. There's much more risk (AFAIK) of getting bacterial endocarditis through dental work, oral bleeding, or other stuff going on in the mouth than you can get with sinus infections.

If you can find a doctor who can answer more definitively, go for it. (The challenges you faced in finding a doctor to ask is just one of the reasons I hate HMOs and many medical 'groups').

Good luck getting your answer - and DON'T get endocarditis.

pellicle · Aug 26, 2024

Hi and welcome

Travis Wise said:
I started feeling sick (facial pressure, congestion, headaches) a few days ago and have worried myself that I could be getting endocarditis due to a sinus infection.

very unlikely but not impossible (myself I'd put it at about as likely as throwing 6 dice throws and getting the same number each time (which I think is higher likelihood than throwing 6 dice and getting a specific number).

Statistical usual route is via oral (gums and teeth gap) and throat and is usually also realated to chronic infections. So get onto the antibiotics to assist your body to remove that soon

Travis Wise said:
Problem is primary says talk to cardiologist.

I get that ... and since @3mm already addressed that I won't repeat it.

HTH

ATHENS1964 · Aug 27, 2024

Fungal endocarditis rarely occurs in healthy individuals and is associated with immunocompromised states, intravenous drug use, prolonged antibiotic use, and long-term parenteral nutrition. Individuals with prosthetic heart valves or a history of reconstructive cardiac surgery also have a higher risk of fungal endocarditis. Native valve fungal endocarditis can occur in organ transplants recipients on immunosuppressive agents, patients with myelodysplastic syndrome, and patients on long-term glucocorticoids and cytotoxic drugs.
Fungal endocarditis has a much poorer prognosis compared to bacterial causes. The key is early recognition. However, mortality rates of 10% to 75% are reported despite optimal treatment. In many cases, comorbidity is the cause of the poor prognosis.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532987/

carolinemc · Aug 27, 2024

Travis Wise said:
Hi everyone! My name is Travis and I found out in November of last year about a BAV, aortic regurgitation, and an aortic aneurysm. I am new to all of this... Been following this forum for a while, but was hoping to as a question.

I had surgery in January of this year to replace my aortic valve. Since then I have been worried about infections and illness. I have been prone to sinus infections my whole adult life due to a deviated septum.

I started feeling sick (facial pressure, congestion, headaches) a few days ago and have worried myself that I could be getting endocarditis due to a sinus infection.

I have heard that sinus infections are likely viral as opposed to bacterial. I've also heard that while your risk of getting endocarditis is higher during the first year after surgery, it is still pretty low.

Have any of you all had experience with sinus infections and mechanical valves? How likely is it that one would contract endocarditis? And from a sinus infection?

Thank you in advance for any info!

Travis

You will still get sinus infections, but as long as you go to the doctor and the meds needed, you can try to prevent endocarditis. Hard to prevent 100%. Just take care and follow up on the antibiotics, take them all. And even healthy people can contract endocarditis. Good luck and take care.

Gail in Ca · Aug 27, 2024

I was told by the doctor my risk of getting bacterial endocarditis was 1%. After I got it and was treated, he said my risk was now 2%. That was in 2008.

Sinus Infection Risk Mechanical Valve

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