Infective endocarditis as a cause of fever in hemodialysis patients.

Vascular access infections are common in maintenance hemodialysis patients especially with dual lumen cuffed catheter. Persistent infections may lead to valvular seeding and the development of infective endocarditis. Though antibiotic therapy may often suffice, many patients may require surgical correction which carries a high risk of mortality. However appropriate preoperative therapy may considerably reduce the risk of surgery in maintenance hemodialysis patients.