Infective endocarditis. Implications for care of the adult with congenital heart disease.

Infective endocarditis (IE) remains a severe complication for the adult with congenital heart disease (CHD). The last four decades have witnessed a radical transformation in the spectrum of IE, including the advent of cardiac surgery and the postantibiotic era. Because of the devastation caused by this disease, prevention is the hallmark. A clear understanding of the pathogenesis, clinical features, and management of IE is essential for any practitioner caring for adults with CHD.