THERAPEUTIC STRATEGIES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PATIENTS WITH INFECTIVE ENDOCARDITIS: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW

Abstract

Infective endocarditis is a serious condition that can lead to severe complications and even death. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial for therapeutic success and mortality reduction. Objective: To present a review of the pharmacological therapies currently used in the treatment of infective endocarditis. Methodology: This is an integrative literature review with a qualitative approach, aiming to conduct a theoretical survey to clarify key points about the therapeutic approach in patients with infective endocarditis. The research question was: How can pharmacology be applied in the treatment of infective endocarditis, considering the proper selection of antimicrobials, the duration of treatment, the management of complications and drug interactions, as well as the evolution of treatment protocols over time? The article search was conducted in the LILACS, SciELO, and MEDLINE databases, using the selected keywords according to the classification of Descriptors in Health Sciences (DeCS): Infective Endocarditis, Pharmacological Treatment, and Therapeutic Guidelines. Inclusion criteria considered articles published in the last 5 years (2019-2023), available online in full-text versions, in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, focusing on full scientific papers that addressed the proposed topic. Results: Ten articles were selected for discussion. Final Considerations: It is concluded that infective endocarditis remains a challenging disease for both physicians and patients, and its therapeutic approach should be personalized based on the most recent scientific evidence.