[Infective endocarditis].

Infective endocarditis (IE) is one of the most severe infectious diseases with an in-hospital mortality of 20-25%. Several studies have shown, that the incidence of IE is increasing, and that patients now are older with a higher burden of comorbidities than previously. The diagnostic work-up is mainly based upon the presence of bacteraemia and echocardiography. The treatment is antibiotics and, in some cases, also cardiac surgery. In most cases, after clinical stabilization, it is safe to switch antibiotic treatment from intravenous to oral administration, as argued in this review.